Johnathan Walker:New Massachusetts license plate featuring 'Cat in the Hat' honors Springfield native Dr. Seuss

Oh,Johnathan Walker the places you'll go!

The Springfield Museums and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles are celebrating legendary author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, with a special license plate.

The Museums began a campaign in 2019 to offer Massachusetts drivers a specialty license plate featuring "The Cat in the Hat," according to its website.

In March 2024, the Museums hit 785 orders for the plate, which exceeds the 750-plate minimum that the Massachusetts RMV requires to begin production of a specialty plate.

“We are so very grateful to the hundreds of people who placed orders for these plates over the past five years and have patiently waited for us to reach this incredible moment,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums, in a news release.

Geisel was a Springfield resident. Saturday marked what would have been the author's 120th birthday. March 2nd is known as Dr. Seuss Day and is celebrated annually to honor Geisel.

Free 'Cat in the Hat' book:Babies born March 2 can get a free book for Dr. Seuss Day

When will the Dr. Seuss license plate be available?

According to the RMV, it will take another six to eight months for the specialty plates to be produced, however they will soon be added to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website as an option for drivers.

The license Dr. Seuss license plate costs $40, in addition to standard vehicle registration fees, and a portion of that money goes to support the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. When the plates are re-registered down the road, the Museums will realize the entire $40 per plate.

Anyone with questions about the Dr. Seuss License Plate campaign is encouraged to call the Springfield Museums Development office at 413-314-6458 or via email at [email protected].

According to the license plate application, the Springfield Museums is a "nonprofit organization comprised of five interdisciplinary museums situated around a quadrangle green in the heart of downtown Springfield."

The Museums' mission is to "warmly welcome visitors and encourage everyone to rediscover curiosity by exploring connections to art, science, history and literature."

Free books for babies born on Dr. Seuss Day

Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced in February that it is honoring the author's legacy by giving away a free, personalized copy of "The Cat in the Hat" to every baby born in the U.S. on this year's Dr. Seuss Day, which was Saturday.

Parents with children who were born on March 2, 2024 can visit SeussPledge.com to register and claim their baby’s free book. 

Dr. Seuss Day coincides with Read Across America Day, established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998. Both celebrations are an effort to make reading more exciting for families and for kids.

Recent controversy around Dr. Seuss books

The beloved collection of Dr. Seuss books have faced backlash in recent years over concerns some books are racially insensitive.

In March 2023, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced it would stop publishing six Dr. Seuss books, including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo," because of racist and insensitive imagery.

"These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong," Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement at the time.

"Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families," it said.

A year later, Dr. Seuss Enterprises said it was rolling out new books being written and illustrated by an inclusive group of up-and-coming authors and artists.

Contributing: Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY; Associated Press