Dr. Seuss
The classic children's book brand known for distinctive rhythm, rhyme and invented words.
Where Dr. Seuss comes up1 episode or test
Dr. Seuss shows a distinctive voice can outlive its creator. Tish Rabe began writing new Seuss books in 1992 and has written 53 Cat in the Hat titles, matching his rhythm exactly. Lesson: lock down a strict style, then use flexible tools, like invented words or slant rhymes, so constraints don't box you in.
- 1Line needs a rhymeIt has to land on "next"
- 2No real word fitsSeuss ran out of rhymes
- 3Invent a wordHe made up the Van Vlex
- 4Rhyme landsVan Vlex rhymes with next
From Tish Rabe on Dr. Seuss
What was said about Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss invented words when he ran out of rhymes. Tish Rabe says Seuss made up words like the Van Vlex to rhyme with next when no real word fit. An invented name gave him a rhyme to land on.
Rabe uses the same trick in her 42 page pet book. She invented the town of Gerplettes so that pets and gets could rhyme and the mayor could know about caring for pets. In her words: "Dr. Seuss used to make up words. You know when he didn't have something that rhymed."
Dr. Seuss kept to pure rhymes like cool and pool. Rabe describes his rhymes as pure. She has written new Seuss books since 1992, including 53 Cat in the Hat books, and matches his rhythm exactly.
Rabe departs from his pure rhymes when a specific word matters more. The last page of her military book had to end on home, and "nothing rhymes with home," so she used the slant rhyme go and home in "when I have to go ... I'll know I am home."
How to Write For Kids (Tish Rabe Interview)
Rabe began writing new Seuss books in 1992 and has written 53 Cat in the Hat books, matching his rhythm exactly. He used pure rhymes and invented words like the Van Vlex to escape rhyme corners.
Dr. Seuss invented words when he ran out of rhymes. Tish Rabe says Seuss made up words like the Van Vlex to rhyme with next when no real word fit. An invented name gave him a rhyme to land on.
Rabe uses the same trick in her 42 page pet book. She invented the town of Gerplettes so that pets and gets could rhyme and the mayor could know about caring for pets. In her words: "Dr. Seuss used to make up words. You know when he didn't have something that rhymed."
Dr. Seuss kept to pure rhymes like cool and pool. Rabe describes his rhymes as pure. She has written new Seuss books since 1992, including 53 Cat in the Hat books, and matches his rhythm exactly.
Rabe departs from his pure rhymes when a specific word matters more. The last page of her military book had to end on home, and "nothing rhymes with home," so she used the slant rhyme go and home in "when I have to go ... I'll know I am home."
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