Dr Seuss - Classic Children's Books

When we think of children's books, a lot of categories come to mind.

Picture books, board books, books for learning the alphabet or counting, and wordless ones are the most appropriate for pre-readers aged between 0 to 5 years. Early reader books are meant for children aged between 5 to 7 years. Children in the age group of 7-12 years can read short and long chapter ones and teenagers can read young adult fiction.

The most widely known books for children are written by Theodor Seuss Geisel, an American cartoonist and writer popularly known under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Children are an impressionable brood and so they must be exposed to a careful and an understanding choice of literary material. Geisel's children's books have imaginative characters and rhyme and they are the best reading material for children.

Geisel's books have even crossed the frontiers of children's domain. For example, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, is a children's book that every business student must read. It stresses the significance of preserving the natural resources carefully and delves on the importance of balance and vision in developing a business.

What is so special about Geisel's books? What makes Geisel's children's books so popular? Here are some exciting answers that will gratify your curiosity.

How Many Books Did Geisel Theodore Write?

Geisel wrote and published 40 books between the years 1937 and 1991. According to a study, his books have sold more than half a billion copies, possibly even more than Harry Potter books. His most popular ones are Cat in the Hat published in 1957 and Green Eggs and Ham published in 1960. Most readers find Cat in the Hat hilarious, naughty, and funny. Green Eggs and Ham is a book that children and parents enjoy alike. The words in the Green Eggs and Ham book rhyme and stream.

Did Geisel's Writing Have An Impact On Children's Books?

Geisel's writing influenced the style of writing children's books. He transformed run-of-the-mill heroes into rebellious and defiant heroes. His books contain twisted plots and clever rhymes. The mutinous heroes in his books do something unexpected that stirs the ecstasy in children's minds. Dr.Seuss books are such a rave that one in every four American children receives Seuss as their first book.

Did He Write Any Controversial Book?

Geisel's Butter Battle Book published in 1984 is a controversial book. This book was removed from the public libraries during the cold war because it contains covert references to the arms race. The core theme of this book is the satirical depiction of a deadly war over something as trivial as breakfast food. The dispute is centred around an issue on how to eat the bread, whether with the butter side up or with the butter side down. This controversy is between Yooks and Zooks who live on the opposite sides of a long curving wall; a covert reference to the Berlin Wall. This children's book, though targeted for adults, remained on the New York Times best seller list for six months and also became New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

There are very talented authors and illustrators around, but when it comes to children's paperback, books by Theodore Geisel a.k.a Dr. Seuss take the cake.

Use Rawhide Lamp Shades For Classic Western Decorating

Rawhide lamp shades since the 1930's have been synonymous with western décor. When you consider the elements that make up rustic decorating, western rawhide lamp shades are still at the forefront. Over the years, rawhide has played an integral part not only for rustic lampshades but numerous other accessories as well. Since the 1990's rawhide lamp shades have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity as new designers and home owners alike discover their high quality handcrafted look. For any rustic den, family room, living room or bedroom as well as ranch, cabin or country style, rawhide is here to stay. The use of rawhide shades with antler lamps and chandeliers continues to lead the way and set the standard for log homes and rustic style.

Predominant in ranching, cowboy and Native American lifestyles rawhide has always been a most basic material. The difference between leather and rawhide is that leather is tanned which softens and preserves the hide. Rawhide however is not tanned but animal hide that has been scraped and dehaired. Remaining in its original state, "raw hide" is stiff and hard when dried but supple and pliable when wet. Lamp shades made of rawhide are functional because they take advantage if this natural characteristic. When rawhide is wet, it has the consistency of a pasta noodle that can be wrapped around a lamp shade frame. As the rawhide shade dries, the hide also tightens stretching the rawhide tight. Because rawhide lamp shades use untanned hide it is translucent allowing light to pass through.

Very strong when dried, rawhide lamp shades can last for years. To protect and preserve your rawhide shade regular conditioning works with the rawhide's natural character to help keep it supple and avoid cracking. In the area of southwest or southwestern décor, rawhide is also used for covering rustic lamps, picture frames and mirrors. Unique jewelry is even made by artists using rawhide. In the same way, rawhide lamp shades also express artistic craftsmanship. Matching or contrasting rawhide lace is used to hand stitch the rawhide to the lampshade frame for a truly unique handcrafted piece that will win compliments from all who view its special combination of natural and creative beauty. Goat skin rawhide shades can also be made using rich colors such as charcoal, brown, red and green as well as traditional cream to work with any room.

Western rawhide lamp shades are mainly made using cow hide, sheep skin and goat skin. The thinnest being goat skin is the rawhide of choice that allows dark rustic western rawhide lamp shades to be created that still allow light to show through. For a classic western look, hand scrapped rawhide is much better than commercially processed rawhide. The difference is that commercial rawhide is processed using chemicals and machines. Rawhide shades made using this processed hide are very clean and clear but lack character. It is the primitive hand scrapping and cleaning process that leaves behind a decorative layer that yields a rustic and decorative look unique to each individual shade. For western lighting rawhide lamp shades are a natural choice and combined with rustic home furnishings and western art make a winning ensemble.

Along with genuine rawhide lamp shades, other great accompaniments to transform your room to classic western style are hand woven wool rugs, floor runners and table runners boasting rich red, black and grey as well as Indian rugs with bold dark blue, hunter green and earth tones. Place Native pottery, and wooden bowls or kiva ladders in strategic places and the warm and masculine western feel will be fabulous. The overall rustic or western look of your space and each of these ingredients is enriched and drawn together by the use of hand laced rawhide lamp shades.

Crab Lasagna - A Delectable Twist to an Italian Classic

Most everyone remembers spending some time at a family member's house eating a big meal with the whole clan. For me, it was always a wonderful time to catch up and eat to my hearts content. Grammy would have something good going on the stove, and I always found myself smiling with a full stomach afterward. Every once in a while though I would be surprised to see a different set of hands preparing the meal. Grandpa liked to mix it up and don the apron at times - making Grammy's night relaxed and filling ours with new and different delights. One of his calling cards was taking an entree we all enjoyed and adding something unexpected. I can't remember a time it didn't turn out well. This is one of my favorite examples of his handiwork.

Two things that are great apart, and fantastic together. Crab Lasagna.

INGREDIENT LIST

(2) 12 oz packages of lasagna

1 lb of King Crab, Flaked

(1) 4oz can of dried or diced mushrooms, drained

2 tbs butter

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 minced garlic clove

4 cans tomato sauce

1 can tomato paste

1 tsp minced parsley (double if fresh)

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/2 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp basil

1 large tub sour cream

1 ball mozzarella cheese, grated

1lb Sharp cheddar, grated

salt

olive oil

grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION

Saute onion, garlic, & mushrooms in the butter until golden brown. Stir in tomato sauce and paste. Add spices, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Now add crab and simmer for another 15 minutes until sauce has thickened.

Meanwhile, cook the lasagna at a gentle boil (adding 2tbs olive oil and 1 tbsp salt as desired) for about 15 minutes. Test for readiness by poking a suspended noodle with a fork. If it goes through easily, they are likely done.

Remove the noodles from the heat and wash thoroughly under cold water. Layer the bottom of a pan (9x13 is a good size) with enough sauce to wet it down, then lay the lasagna length-wise to cover the bottom completely. Cover the noodles with sauce. Next, sprinkle them with each cheese and shake on the Parmesan. Then spot on the sour cream and smooth out the whole layer. Place the next layer of noodles perpendicular to the first and repeat the process until you run out of pan or material. Make sure to sprinkle the last layer with Parmesan.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Let stand after cooking for 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve!