1998

I did not want to ape Seuss’s style yet still I wanted the book to be Seussian. I experimented a lot and found a nice balance through collage, sometimes using copied bits of Seuss’s actual sketches in my oil paintings. I also found if a painting looked too Smithian all I had to do was add little horseshoe eyes to steer it back into Seussian territory.

—Lane

Instant Number 1 bestseller - Publishers Weekly

The story fairly jumps off the page, as do the bright, exuberant collage and oil illustrations, which look like a combination of the familiar Seussian style and Smith's own. A sense of fun reigns supreme, and school comes off looking like a great place to be. Dr. Seuss's well-known books and characters (and even Ted Geisel himself) make cameo appearances throughout the work. The editor's notes on the process of creating the book include original sketches and ideas from Geisel's notebooks. This outstanding work is a must for all collections. Buy extra copies-and be sure to include one for the professional shelf as well. It's a great tribute to the importance of creative thinking in the classroom.

School Library Journal