And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
Encyclopedia
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street is a book written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
and Robert Carington, first published in 1937. It was Seuss's first children's book, originally titled "A Story That No One Can Beat," the manuscript was rejected by over 43 publishing companies (precise numbers vary, even from Seuss himself, who counted 27 and 28) but was eventually published by Vanguard Press
. Seuss has stated that he nearly burned the manuscript before its publication after being rejected by so many publishers.
The story follows a boy named Marco, who describes the sights and sounds of imaginary people and vehicles traveling along Mulberry Street in an elaborate fantasy story he dreams up to tell to his father at the end of his walk, but decides instead to simply tell him what he actually saw. Dr. Seuss wrote the story as a commentary about how he felt adults stifled children's imaginations.
Mulberry Street
is the name of a street (42.102224°N 72.578119°W) in Springfield, Massachusetts
, only one mile southwest of Dr. Seuss's boyhood home on Fairfield Street, and inspired both the book's story and name.
The Creedence Clearwater Revival
song "Lookin' Out My Back Door
" was partly inspired by the book.
Also, the Damn the Day song "What I Actually Saw On Mulberry Street" was written entirely by citing lines from the book.
.
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
and Robert Carington, first published in 1937. It was Seuss's first children's book, originally titled "A Story That No One Can Beat," the manuscript was rejected by over 43 publishing companies (precise numbers vary, even from Seuss himself, who counted 27 and 28) but was eventually published by Vanguard Press
Vanguard Press
The Vanguard Press was a United States publishing house established with a $100,000 grant from the left wing American Fund for Public Service, better known as the Garland Fund. Throughout the 1920s, Vanguard Press issued an array of books on radical topics, including studies of the Soviet Union,...
. Seuss has stated that he nearly burned the manuscript before its publication after being rejected by so many publishers.
The story follows a boy named Marco, who describes the sights and sounds of imaginary people and vehicles traveling along Mulberry Street in an elaborate fantasy story he dreams up to tell to his father at the end of his walk, but decides instead to simply tell him what he actually saw. Dr. Seuss wrote the story as a commentary about how he felt adults stifled children's imaginations.
Mulberry Street
Mulberry Street (Springfield, Massachusetts)
Mulberry Street is the name of an historic street and tourist destination in Springfield, Massachusetts, made famous by Dr. Seuss' first childrens' book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street! Less than one mile from Springfield's Metro Center neighborhood, the Springfield Armory, and The...
is the name of a street (42.102224°N 72.578119°W) in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, only one mile southwest of Dr. Seuss's boyhood home on Fairfield Street, and inspired both the book's story and name.
The Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
song "Lookin' Out My Back Door
Lookin' out My Back Door
"Lookin' out My Back Door" is a song recorded by the American band Creedence Clearwater Revival and written by the band's lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, John Fogerty...
" was partly inspired by the book.
Also, the Damn the Day song "What I Actually Saw On Mulberry Street" was written entirely by citing lines from the book.
Publication history
Marco was named after Marco McClintock, the son of the author's editor, Marshall "Mike" McClintock, and Helene McClintock, for whom the book is dedicated. Marco returned as a character in McElligot's PoolMcElligot's Pool
McElligot's Pool is a 1947 children's book by Dr. Seuss.It is a tale of a boy named Marco who is ridiculed for fishing in a small, polluted pool...
.