A hidden treasure from Dr. Seuss has come to light. Archivists at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library uncovered an original manuscript and cover sketch by Ted Geisel. The book, SING THE 50 UNITED STATES!, will hit shelves on June 2, 2026, from Random House Children’s Books. The first printing will include 500,000 copies.
A Seuss-Style Celebration of America
In true Seuss fashion, the story bursts with rhyme, rhythm, and wordplay. Readers join the Cat in the Hat and two Little Cats on a quest to name all fifty states. Lines like “Massachusetts. Minnesota. Missouri and Montana. M-i-s-s-Mississippi. Maryland! Michigan and Maine!” bring his familiar energy to life. The book includes sketches, manuscript excerpts, and a U.S. map hidden under the jacket.
From Archive to Print
Dr. Seuss Enterprises found the manuscript earlier this year while reviewing archived materials. Geisel’s notes and cover sketch guided illustrator Tom Brannon, who created new artwork in Seuss’s signature style.
A Coast-to-Coast Launch
To celebrate, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House are partnering with First Book. Together, they’ll deliver backpacks filled with SING THE 50 UNITED STATES!, other Seuss classics, and school supplies to classrooms across all 50 states. The effort will wrap up with a Washington, D.C., event during the 2026 back-to-school season.
Continuing the Seuss Legacy
This is the first complete Dr. Seuss story discovered since What Pet Should I Get? in 2015. A companion music video will debut on the Dr. Seuss YouTube channel. Fans are also awaiting The Cat in the Hat animated film, coming from Netflix and Warner Bros. Pictures in November 2026.
Words from the Publishers
“Uncovering a new work from Ted is like finding a time capsule of his imagination,” says Susan Brandt, CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! shows his genius with words and his power to inspire readers.”
Judith Haut, Deputy Publisher at Random House, adds, “Finding an original Dr. Seuss story is something we dream about. Releasing it for America’s 250th birthday makes it even more special.”
Dr. Seuss’s world keeps expanding—new readers, new books, and the same timeless magic.
