..
"She attempted to hide behind Officer Thatcher
Who cupped out his hat like a bumblebee catcher.
The bees took his hat.
Thatcher said 'I'm no fool!'
And ran after Mayzie back to the school."

From: Daisy-Head Mayzie by Dr. Seuss


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What would you do if your routine day was interrupted by a daisy suddenly sprouting from the top of your head? What would be the reaction of your friends, your family, your classmates at school? Could this simply be a question of cleanliness, perhaps a little too much dirt up there, and not enough shampoo and rinse? Or could this sudden tonsorial floral surprise be your ticket to fame and fortune? That is the situation that faces young Mayzie McGrew in Daisy-Head Mayzie.


Published three years after the death of Dr. Seuss, Daisy-Head Mayzie was compiled from author notes dating to (apparently) the 1960s. Perhaps it would have been better if these notes had remained undiscovered. Perhaps there was a reason why Dr. Seuss never brought Mayzie McGrew to the printed page while he was still alive and making the publishing decisions.


When the daisy first appears atop Mayzie McGrew's head all the adults of her world search for a way to remove it. Miss Sneetcher, the teacher, Principal Gregory Grumm, Mom and Dad, Dr. Eisenbatt, Dr. Eisenbatt's patient, Finch the florist, Officer Thatcher, and even the Mayor all assist in efforts to 'weed out' the daisy. But none of their efforts are successful.

Eventually she is signed to a contract by Finagle the Agent and soon the country is full of:

"Daisy-Head burgers,
And Daisy-Head drinks,
Daisy-Head stockings,
And Daisy-Head sinks.
Daisy-Head buttons,
And Daisy-Head bows.
Mayzie was famous,
The star of her shows."


Unfortunately, the whole scenario just seems forced. While the Cat-in-the-Hat introduces the story and makes a few cameo appearances through the story; absent are any interesting creatures that seem to be a Seuss trademark. Uninspiring pictures of adults dominate the book. With very little of the Dr. Seuss 'flavor' that I remember from Fox in Socks or The Lorax or the seminal The Cat in the Hat".

The illustrations seem formulaic and derivative, perhaps like a copy of a copy of a copy of a Dr. Seuss illustration. Indeed the best illustrations are those of the daisy in various animated poses inside the front and back covers of the book. With the flower and petals serving as a 'face' and the flower stem and two leaves acting as body and arms, the daisy almost comes alive in various poses.


The text is equally disappointing. Forced rhymes, poor settings, and strained meter inspire little wonder or delight and simply drag the story to a grinding halt. An example is the quote that leads this review. It is hard to find a reason to root for poor Daisy-Head Mayzie. Or to enjoy the situations she finds herself in and how she escapes from them.


But in the end, she finds the love of her family, aided by a 'loves-me, loves-me-not' assist from the daisy sprouting from her head. That seems to be the moral of the story: that family will always love you, no matter what is growing out of the top of your head. Unfortunately, the story strains to draw the reader to that ending and that moral.


The Bottom Line
Daisy-Head Mayzie is perhaps a Seuss story that was withheld for good cause by the author himself. It is disappointing that perhaps a desire for 'one more Dr. Seuss story' led to this one being published.


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"Just the facts, ma'am"

Title: Daisy-Head Mayzie
Author: Dr. Seuss aka Theodor 'Ted' Geisel
Illustrator: from Dr. Seuss sketches
Publisher: Random House, Inc., New York
Copyright: 1994 by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
Pages: 56
ISBN #: 0-679-86712-0
Ages recommended: 4-8 years old

Reference website:

http://www.seussville.com/seussentennial/


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Read Across America Day Write-off information

At the time of Dr Seuss's death in September of 1991, more than 200 million Dr Seuss books, published in 15 different languages, could be found in homes, classrooms, and libraries around the world. Since his death, an estimated 22 million additional Dr Seuss books have been sold world-wide. Each year brings another new batch of readers, who are soon drawn into the bright and creative world of Dr. Seuss and his delightful creatures.


On the day that would have been the 100th birthday of Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel, The National Education Association coordinates various activities across the United States to celebrate the works of Dr. Seuss within the framework of their Read Across America campaign.

Fellow Epinions member Debbie26 has crafted a write-off to feature the works of Dr. Seuss in particular and all children's books in general to promote 'reading across America' by kids of all ages, this day and every day.

Hosted by Debbie26, the participants and reviews include:

Green Eggs & Ham by Debbie26
Daisy-Head Mayzie by sleeper54
My Book about Me: By Me, Myself by wifeofvolsfan
Hop on Pop by kamel622
Great Day for Up! by vbanuelos

King and King by ed_grover
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by jadzia66
The Foot Book by marybatson
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by artemis8
Nina's Waltz by dramastef

Buttermilk by brendan2
Paul Bunyan: Big Book Edition by kelly60
Best Nest by damieng


Participants list last updated: March 6, 2004

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Many more shorter, 'lean-n-mean' reviews available at:

'Lean-n-mean' I

. . .and also at the bigger-n-better:

'Newbie' do be 'Lean-n-Mean' . . . 'Lean-n-Mean-Two'


Recommended: No