Module 4- Book 3-Biography by Kathleen Krull.

1.Bibliography
Krull,Katherine.2004.The Boy on Fairfield Street:How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss.ill.by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.New York,NY:Random House.ISBN:0375922989

2.Plot Summary
Krull chronicles how the animal loving,whimsical and artistically inclined boy named Ted Geisel developed into the talented author Dr. Seuss.


3.Critical Analysis
Pictures follow Ted Geisel's development as an artist and show how the same traits that were a hindrance when he did not know what to do with them were a bonus when properly chanelled. His character,temperament,propensities stayed the same and served him well so that he could create as Dr. Seuss.

Each episode in the life of Ted Geisel is presented as a vignette that illustrates a characteristic that would later help make Dr. Seuss who he was.

The spot art featuring favorite Seuss characters complement and echo the emotions expressed in the nostalgic,evocative paintings. For example,in a scene where he is derided for being German-American and unathletic, two tiny sneetch-like creatures look sad and crestfallen.

The beautifically crafted text is filled with vivid descriptions of Ted Geisel's childhood joys such as mention of "chin-up" or "ear-waggling" contests.

There is a complete bibliography in the back of Great Works Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss. The concluding essay On Beyond Fairfield Street provides a complete biography of Seuss and puts his early life in context. In this essay,we learn about his happier later years. There are also suggestions for further reading and a list of Seuss related websites. These resources would allow an interested reader to verify the facts presented in this Seuss biography.

A photograph of an older avuncular Dr. Seuss,satisyingly enough, shows him looking content after a life of happiness and achievement.

4.Review Excerpts

School Library Journal
" Krull's work is a terrific look at the boyhood of one of the most beloved author/illustrators of the 20th century."
Horn Book
"Four additional pages summarize the high points and pivotal moments of his entire life in somewhat more detail, but the real story here is of a boy who couldn't stop doodling, who ""feasted on books and was wild about animals,"" and who ""excelled at fooling around."" Krull does a good job of linking such early propensities with what turned up later, visually and thematically, in Geisel's books. Johnson and Fancher provide nostalgic full-page paintings that nicely recall illustrations of the period; a wealth of adroitly chosen vignettes from Seuss's own books (listed at the end) illuminate points made in the text"

5.Connections
Children who enjoyed learning about an author's life might like:
De Paola,Tomie. 26 Fairmount Avenue. ISBN:9780399232466
An autobiography by noted children's author Tomie De Paola.

They might also enjoy:
Potter,Giselle.The Year I Didn't Go to School. ISBN:9780689847301
An account of one author's unconventional childhood.

or
The Journey that Saved Curious George.ISBN-13: 978-0618339242
About the lives and creations of two other famous children's authors, Margret and H.A.Rey

Boy on Fairfield Street is a book that should prompt a discussion about character traits and goals. Maybe we don't need to completely change who we are to succeed. We just need to find a place where our strengths are appreciated. Students could talk about researching little-known careers that might suit them.