Six books by the late author Dr. Seuss will no longer be published because of 'hurtful and wrong' racial depictions, it has been announced.
Seussville - the business that preserves the author's legacy - confirmed on Tuesday that the books And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat's Quizzer will cease to be published.
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Today's announcement - posted on the Dr. Seuss Enterprises website - comes after the books received criticism for their racist depictions of black and Asian characters.
"Today, on Dr. Seuss's Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship," they said.
The organisation worked with a panel of experts to review their catalogue of titles and made the decision to cease the publication and licensing of six of the author's books following months of discussions.
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They added: "Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises's catalogue represents and supports all communities and families."
Books by Dr Seuss - who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Massachusetts on March 2 1904 - have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries.
He passed away in 1991.
Dr. Seuss' titles remain popular among young readers, earning an estimated 33 million dollars (£23 million) before taxes in 2020, the company said. Forbes listed him second on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020, despite the author passing away in 1991.
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Some of his most popular books include The Cat in the Hat and How The Grinch Stole Christmas - both books spawned popular film adaptations.
The Cat in the Hat has also received criticism but will continue to be published for now.
The National Education Association, which founded Read Across America Day in 1998, has for several years discouraged the use of Dr Seuss books and campaigned for a more diverse reading list for children in the States.
Featured Image Credit: PA