By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Dr. Seuss Enterprises is greeting the New Year with three new book releases, including a Green Eggs and Ham sequel.
The new books will be released by Random House Children’s Books on January 7, and are inspired by sketches by Dr. Seuss that were never included in previous books.
“With books inspired by unpublished Dr. Seuss sketches, featuring new versions of classic characters, and presenting in fresh graphic novel formats, there is sure to be something for everyone this season,” Random House said. “This January, we have three all new books that explore beloved Dr. Seuss characters in ways never before seen by the Dr. Seuss publishing programs.”
For the licensing world, that also means there will be new characters and creative works available for licensing.
Random House and Dr. Seuss Enterprises started down this road in 2024 with the release of a first-ever line of graphic novels starring classic Dr. Seuss characters. The program continues this year with the release of the graphic novel Green Eggs and Ham Take a Hike by the acclaimed author/illustrator James Kochalka.
In the new graphic novel, Sam-I-Am’s grumpy best pal Walter is missing out on the great big world but Sam-I-Am is determined to make sure he doesn’t miss a thing, Sam’s attempt at a green eggs and ham picnic on a hike runs into Walter’s negativity about everything from bugs, flowers that make you sneeze, and the rivers that block your way? Too bad for Walter, Sam-I-Am is always up for a challenge!
Kochalka has been creating indie comics and catchy punk rock since the early ’80s, and is a celebrated writer from Vermont. In fact, in March 2011 he was declared the cartoonist laureate of Vermont, serving a term of three years. He is also a two-time winner of the prestigious Eisner Award, four-time Ignatz Award, and a Harvey Award winner.
Random House confirms this is the first book in a planned series for Green Eggs and Hamfocusing on different characters from the original. As well, there is the new story Hello, Sun! by Lala Watkins, a bright and playful story about a worm enjoying a day in the sun with friends.
Hello, Sun! is also a milestone, as it is the first book in a new line of Beginner Books in the Dr. Seuss publishing program, in which up-and-coming authors and illustrators create original books inspired by Dr. Seuss’s unpublished sketches and illustrations.
Watkins, for example, is an accomplished illustrator, appropriately enough from sunny Florida, who specializes in fun illustrations and lovely stories. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and Interactive Communication from Ringling College of Art & Design.
In that same spirit, the third book is a new product for Dr. Seuss; a lift-the-flap book featuring baby versions of Cat in the Hat, Thing One, and Thing Two, designed as the perfect gift for celebrating baby’s first birthday.
Seuss Babies is now a new brand featuring adorable baby versions of classic Dr. Seuss characters that will delight and nurture the imaginations of babies, while entertaining the entire family at story time.
It was created by the illustrator Erik Doescher, and with a combination of simple rhymes and fun lift-the-flap surprises, it’s the ideal book to read babies at nap time. It even includes a mylar mirror under one flap, so babies can see themselves in the story.