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Why did Dr. Seuss stop focusing on books for adults after The Seven Lady Godivas?
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Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss and some of his characters, from a commemorative U.S. postage stamp, 2004.
Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel, shifted his focus away from books for adults after the 1939 publication of The Seven Lady Godivas primarily because the work fared poorly. Following this experience, he chose to concentrate on childrenâs books, a medium he preferred.1
While he is often quoted as having said, "Adults are obsolete children, and the hell with them," he did return to adult-oriented humor later in his career with the 1986 publication of Youâre Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children, which was marketed for readers of all ages.1