Accompanying a manuscript Dr. Seuss wrote in 1973, was a letter outlining his hopes of finding "a great color artist who will not be dominated by me." The late Dr. Seuss saw his original text about feelings and moods as part of the "first book ever to be based on beautiful illustrations and sensational color." The quest for an artist finally ended—after the manuscript languished for more than two decades—at the paint brushes of husband-and-wife team Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher whose stunning, expressive paintings reveal such striking images as a bright red horse kicking its heels, a cool and quiet green fish, a sad and lonely purple dinosaur, and an angrily howling black wolf. Using a spectrum of vibrant colors and a menagerie of animals, this unique book does for the range of human moods and emotions what Oh, the Places You'll Go! does for the human life cycle. Here is a wonderful way for parents to talk with children about their feelings. With Johnson and Fancher's atmospheric, large-scale paintings bursting off the pages, Dr. Seuss's vision is brought to life. This rare and beautiful book is bound to appeal to both the innocent young and the most sophisticated seniors.
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From Amazon
The words and illustrations of Dr. Seuss have alway seemed inseparable--a peerless fusion of verbal and visual wit. Yet when the good doctor wrote the manuscript for My Many Colored Days in 1973, he specified that the book should be illustrated by "a great color artist who will not be dominated by me." Twenty-three years later, he has gotten his wish. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher have produced a series of rich, painterly images that could never be mistaken for faux-Seuss. They have, however, caught something of his simplicity, and just as important, his sense of whimsy.
From Publishers Weekly
The archives of many a late author, from Margaret Wise Brown (Four Fur Feet) to Sylvia Plath (The It-Doesn't-Matter Suit), often yield unpublished manuscripts. Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, is no exception: he wrote but did not illustrate this rhyme, which assigns colors to moods. The effort is pleasant but lightweight: "You'd be/ surprised/ how many ways/ I change/ on Different/ Colored/ Days," announces a child, portrayed as a flat, gingerbread-man shape of yellow, then blue, then purple. Spread by spread, the character metamorphoses into animals of varying hues, from an energetic red horse to a secretive green fish to a droopy violet brontosaur ("On Purple Days/ I'm sad./ I groan./ I drag my tail./ I walk alone"). Husband and wife Johnson and Fancher (Cat, You Better Come Home) do not mime the author's pen-and-ink creations but work in pasty, expressionistic brushstrokes and blocky typefaces that change with the narrative tone. The characteristically catchy Seussian rhyme could help turn a Gray Day into a "busy, buzzy" (Yellow) one, and the snazzy die-cut jacket gives this volume an immediate lift above the competition. But the pointed message of Oh, the Places You'll Go! and the genius of Seuss's early work go missing. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By sourjujubes
Format:Hardcover
My little guy was diagnosed with autism at 22 months and I thought this book would go a long way to explain emotions and feelings, as that tends to be a hard thing to understand for people with this disorder. This is the very first book that he read to me in its entirety when he was not quite 4 and was just learning to speak. I often give this book as baby gifts and have given it as gifts to my son's teachers for their classrooms. It is most definitely a must-have for kids of all ages and abilities. The watercolour-type illustrations are beautiful, and not at all what we are used to with Dr. Seuss. My son will be 9 (yikes!) next month, and I still make him read it to me from time to time (although we both can pretty much recite it by memory). Truly my all-time favourite book! Thank you, Dr. Seuss!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. Rosenthal
Format:Hardcover
I purchased this book for "my" children because of our many positive experiences with Dr Seuss books in the past. However, when it came to the color, black, it was disheartening to see such a negative association with a word many young children identify with. It is frustrating enough that many people already consider "white good and black bad" but having someone like Dr Seuss reinforce it by linking black with rage was dis appointing.
A much better alternative: My Crayons Talk, by Hubbard. Though Hubbard's works are less familiar, the positive connection
of black with wisdom is much much better for young children. The cost of Hubbard's book is so reasonable, that its worth it to purchase it, even without an extensive description at Amazon.com. Or
check it out at your local library. I think it is important that subtle, and not so subtle references, to black and white in children's literature be positive ones.I am not accusing this Seuss book of prejudice, just a lack of sensitivity in this one regard.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Board book
I can't believe the positive reviews this book is getting. I'm all for discussing emotions with a child, but this book goes too far! It confuses sad with manic depressive! It gives permission to be dark, mean, & brooding.
My son was given this book by a well-meaning relative, but after only a few readings, my husband and I have decided to permanently shelve this one.
We are well educated parents who believe in being honest with our child, but this book contains subject matter that is inappropriate for any child.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Big fan of all Dr. Suess books. Found this one a little diffrent be very entertaining for my 3 year old. Read more
Published on Dec 26 2008 by C. Fournier
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
When I read this book to my children (ages 4 & 1) I always try to emphasize the emotions & feelings behind each color & painting using my voice... Read more
Published on April 27 2004 by "doulanmom"
5.0 out of 5 stars
tomorrow could be different
I would highly recommend this book to anyone--young & old alike! I think it is especially good reading for those feeling like they are in a slump and finding it hard to move on. Read more
Published on Mar 4 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 10 month old's favorite book
I wouldn't have expected it but this is my 10 month old son's favorite book. I think he likes the bright colors. Read more
Published on Dec 23 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not your usual Dr. Seuss - but terrific!
My daughter is a huge fan of this book - and so am I! I won't say that about too many children's books... Read more
Published on Dec 22 2003 by Mandy Joye
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books we received !
I received this book as a gift for my daughter and had it not been given to me that way I am not sure that we would have it in our library - and that would be unfortunate. Read more
Published on Oct 20 2003 by J. K. Freedman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Present to Give
After buying this book for my daughter 2 years ago,I am now giving it to everyone who has a baby!! It is perfect to talk about emotions and how they can differ on different days... Read more
Published on May 17 2003 by "mtpage"
5.0 out of 5 stars
my 6-month-old's favorite book!
my 6-month-old son LOVES this book. People thought I was nuts when I told them that this little baby has a favorite book, until they saw it for themselves - whenever he sees it,... Read more
Published on April 18 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colors for All Ages / Not the SEUSS You're USED to
We got this book when our now 5 month old son was newly born and I believe I'm more taken with it at this point than he. Read more
Published on Mar 30 2003 by M. Swinney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful way to discuss kid's feelings
I have a 4-yr old foster daughter who has trouble expressing her feelings. This book is a wonderful, colorful, and fun way to help her express herself. Read more
Published on Jan 3 2003
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