Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 17, 1994 TAG: 9405170129
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Short
A 20-year-old manuscript by Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's author, was discovered after his death, his publisher said Monday.
``Daisy-Head Mayzie,'' will be published next winter by Random House and will be made into an animated cartoon.
Audrey Geisel, the author's widow, found the script in the bottom of a drawer as she was preparing to renovate her house in La Jolla, Calif.
Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Geisel, wrote the story as a screenplay. He used typically whimsical verse and supplied a complete set of original drawings, which will be reproduced in the book.
Narrated by Seuss' most famous character, The Cat in the Hat, ``Daisy-Head Mayzie'' is the story of a girl who suddenly finds a daisy growing from the top of her head. She is taunted by schoolmates, chased by bees and scrutinized by those eager to solve her ``problem.''
After an agent talks her into cashing in on her notoriety, Mayzie discovers the perils of overnight success and concludes love means more than fame and glory.
Although Mayzie is probably destined for literary stardom, she will not be the last Dr. Seuss creation to appear after his death.
Random House executive Janet Schulman said the author's files contain much unpublished material. The publisher will print another Seuss book (with another artist's illustrations) next year.
by CNB