Several of Dr. Seuss’s books climbed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list a few days after the author’s estate said he would stop publishing six books that contained racist or offensive images.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, who preserves the author’s legacy, said he worked with a panel of experts to determine that the books “portray people in ways that are harmful and wrong.” These titles, including “And think I saw it on Mulberry Street”, “Super scrambled eggs!” And “The Cat’s Quizzer”, have already sold out in bookstores.
On Thursday, nine other books by Dr. Seuss filled the top 10 on Amazon’s bestseller list, with “The Cat in the Hat” first. There were a total of 25 titles in the top 50, including “Oh, The Places You ‘ll Go” and “Green Eggs and Ham”.
Resale prices on sites like eBay were being listed at higher prices and labeled as rare “prohibited” collectibles.
Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, is one of the most popular children’s authors in history, with a collection of 45 books sold in more than 100 countries. He is best known for his capricious work, which imagines fantastic creatures, large and small, that help teach children important life lessons in couplets.
However, some of his work has been criticized for its damaging stereotypes of ethnic communities. In the 1937 title Mulberry Street, it included a character with a ponytail, chopsticks and a cone-shaped hat. He was described as “china” and the only character drawn in yellow.
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In 1978, the yellow was removed and the character renamed “Chinese man”. But the caricatures of Arab and African peoples remained. Meanwhile, many Dr. Seuss books they feature non-human characters who encourage readers to be inclusive, kind and generous.
“I think he’s like a bunch of white people that I include myself in, you know, who just aren’t fully aware of how racism has shaped their own imagination,” Phillip Nel, an author who has written three books about Dr. Seuss, told CBS News this week. “I don’t think that the fact that he is trying to be anti-racist and racist at the same time is unusual. I think that is quite common.”
Dr. Seuss Enterprises said on Tuesday that it will continue to review its catalog. “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure that the Dr. Seuss Enterprises catalog represents and supports all communities and families,” the organization said in a statement.
Adriana Diaz contributed reporting.