His path to children's literature started with a challenge:
* A publisher, Vanguard Press, was struggling to sell children's books. They asked Geisel to write a book that was "easy to read for beginning readers" with no more than 50 words.
* Geisel took on the challenge and wrote "And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street." This book, published in 1937, was a huge success and became the foundation for Dr. Seuss's iconic children's book career.
His success was fueled by:
* His playful and imaginative style: His use of rhyming, catchy words, and whimsical illustrations appealed to children.
* His ability to tackle important social issues: He used his books to address issues like diversity, prejudice, and environmentalism, often in a humorous and thought-provoking way.
So, while Dr. Seuss didn't start out intending to write for children, he ended up creating some of the most beloved and influential children's books of all time. He proved that even challenging tasks can lead to unexpected and impactful results.