The Cat in the Hat Cat in the Hat" is the book that made Dr. Seuss famous. Without "The Cat", Seuss would have remained a minor light in the history of children's literature." Donald Pease concurs, writing, ""The Cat in the Hat" is the classic in the archive of Dr. Seuss stories for which it serves as a cornerstone and a linchpin. Before writing it Geisel was better known for the 'Quick, Henry, the Flit!' ad campaign than for his nine children's books." The publication and popularity of the book thrust Geisel into the center of the United States literacy debate, what Pease called "the
Madeline and the Bad Hat Madeline and the Bad Hat Madeline and the Bad Hat is a children's picture book by Ludwig Bemelmans featuring the popular children's character Madeline. It was first published by Viking Press in 1956. The story begins when the Spanish Ambassador and his wife move in next door and their son, Pepito, is not a good boy. Madeline dubs him a 'bad hat' and the book is controversial due to the cruel nature of Pepito's mischief, notably animal cruelty and pulling various pranks. After he suffers from his own actions involving a group of dogs and a cat, Pepito reforms himself