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Universal Orlando ‘may AXE Dr Seuss-themed kids play area’ after six books dropped over racism claims
UNIVERSAL's Orlando theme park could shut its Dr Seuss-themed kids play area after the author was accused of racism, according to reports.
Bosses said they are "evaluating our in-park experience" at the Islands of Adventure attraction in the wake of the controversy.
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It comes after by refusing to mention him on Read Across America Day - which marks the much-loved author's birthday.
And his estate said it will that are said to include "racist and hurtful" imagery.
Universal's theme park in Florida features an area called Seuss Landing based on the wacky characters and the worlds they inhabit.
One play area is themed around If I Ran The Zoo, one of the books that will no longer be published.
It includes animals and interactive contraptions from Dr Seuss's stories.
The book has been criticized for its portrayal of Asian people although none of that imagery features in the play area.
Seuss Landing also features a gift shop called Mulberry Street Store named after another canceled book, And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.
There is also a Mulberry Street sign along the walkway.
Universal said the play area would stay open while they review it, .
It said: “Seuss Landing continues to be very popular with our guests and we value our relationship with Seuss Enterprises.
“We’ve removed the books from our shelves as they have asked and we’ll be evaluating our in-park experience too.
“But our guests can plan on continuing to be able to enjoy their favorite experiences at Seuss Landing.”
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In January Disney's theme park nearby said it would update its popular Jungle Cruise attraction after criticism of its depictions of indigenous people.
Last night Dr Seuss's saying: "There wasn’t a racist bone in that man’s body."
Lark Grey Dimond-Cates told the : "He was so acutely aware of the world around him and cared so much."
However, she said it was a "wise decision" to stop publishing certain titles, adding she hoped they would eventually go back into publication “because his body of work is unique”.
Lark, a sculptor living in California, said: "I think this is a world that right now is in pain, and we’ve all got to be very gentle and thoughtful and kind with each other.
"We’re taking that into account and being thoughtful. We don’t want to upset anybody."
TITLES CANCELLED
Yesterday Dr Seuss Enterprises - the company in charge of his legacy - said it would stop publishing six books and withdraw them from sale.
The others are The Cat’s Quizzer, McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, and Scrambled Eggs Super!
A statement on the late author's 117th birthday said: "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.
"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."
Earlier Joe Biden defied a tradition of honoring Dr Seuss and made no mention of him during his .
Presidents Trump and Obama both paid tribute to Dr Seuss during their proclamations, even after .
In 2014, Obama said Dr Seuss called "us to open our minds, to take responsibility for ourselves and our planet."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she had written Biden's speech, and it is "important that children of all backgrounds see themselves in the children’s books that they read."
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Dr Seuss - real name Theodor Seuss Geisel - wrote an illustrated more than 60 books, some of which have become classics such as The Cat In The Hat and Green Eggs And Ham.
His works have sold more than 600million copies wordlwide and have been translated into more than 20 languages including braille versions.
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He died in 1991 but earned around $33million last year.
Forbes listed him No. 2 on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020, behind only pop star Michael Jackson.
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