In 1960 , editor at Random HousetoldThe New Yorkerthat the demographic for the work of Theodor Geisel , a.k.a . Dr. Seuss , was kid age 5 to 9 years older . Books likeHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasandThe Cat in the Hathave become perennial sellers , with the writer - illustrator as nearly identified with childhood entertainment asMister Rogers .
But Dr. Seuss had a mischievous side , one that was in sharp contrast to the kid - friendly material that maintain him at the top of the bestseller list for decades . Largely unseen by the populace , it wasdirectedat his editorial supervisory program at Random House . When Geisel submitted the manuscript forDr . Seuss ’s ABC , an alphabet primer published in 1963 , editor Michael Firth was surprised to see the letter of the alphabet “ X ” come with by a naked woman with the following transcript :
Geisel knew the page would never see the light of day : His habit of including lurid material stemmed from require to verify his editors were paying attention to his study . ( He may also have been trying to quash the monotony that come with all - years prose . ) Speaking of his work appendage , Geisel once said that his first drafts were full of “ swear words and muddy words and everything else … then I go back and clean it up , have a minuscule playfulness with it . ”
Whether there was ever an ex - rated draft ofGreen Eggs and Hamhas manifestly been lost to story . The only ripe - interview title Geisel publish was 1939’sThe Seven Lady Godivas , which was created with an ambitiousness to “ draw the sexiest women I could . ” ( The nudist Godivas seem naked throughout the book . ) Itsold poorly , however , moving just 2500 copy during its initial release . For Seuss fans , it was better for both the writer and his brand that he keep his more prurient urges to himself .
