NEWS

A Newly Discovered and Never-Before-Seen Manuscript by Dr. Seuss To Be Published by Random House Children's Books

An original manuscript and cover sketch by Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was discovered in the archives of UC San Diego’s Geisel Library, and will be published by Random House Children’s Books, it was announced today by Judith Haut, EVP, Deputy Publisher, RHCB, and Susan Brandt, President and CEO, Dr. Seuss Enterprises (DSE). SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! will release this summer on June 2, 2026, with a first printing of 500,000 copies.

© Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. 2026. All Rights Reserved.

With Dr. Seuss’s signature rhymes, rhythm, and wordplay, SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! invites readers to learn and name all fifty states together with the iconic Cat in the Hat and two Little Cat helpers. To sing the 50 United States, you have to use your brain. Massachusetts. Minnesota. Missouri and Montana. M-i-s-s-Mississippi. Maryland! Michigan and Maine! This addition to the Seuss canon will include excerpts and sketches from Geisel’s original manuscript and a map of the United States beneath the book jacket.

The manuscript was found earlier this year among archival materials preserved by DSE at the Geisel Library at UC San Diego. In addition to the complete text, Dr. Seuss left behind a cover sketch and notes on the overall art direction. Brand-new illustrations for SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! were completed by popular children’s book artist Tom Brannon, in Dr. Seuss’s style.

In celebration of this launch, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books are teaming up with First Book to spread learning and joy nationwide through a backpack build reaching classrooms in all 50 states. Every participating student will receive a backpack packed with SING THE 50 UNITED STATES!, other beloved Dr. Seuss titles, and essential school supplies. The initiative will feature a special Washington, D.C., celebration during the 2026 back-to-school season.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises will also release a special music video for the Dr. Seuss YouTube channel. SING THE 50 STATES! is the first full manuscript written by Dr. Seuss to be discovered since the posthumous release of What Pet Should I Get? in 2015.
Dr. Seuss’s legacy continues to grow worldwide—inspiring and creating new readers year after year, with classic titles remaining atop bestseller lists, fresh new publishing for every age and stage, new licensing, and television and film adaptations with both Netflix and Warner Bros. Pictures. Anticipation is building for the major new The Cat in the Hat animated film, set to release in November 2026.

“Uncovering a new work from Ted is like finding a time capsule of his imagination,” says Brandt. “SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! celebrates his boundless creativity, genius with words, and enduring ability to inspire young readers everywhere. We’re honored to share this new Dr. Seuss treasure with readers across America during such a meaningful milestone year.”

“Finding an original Dr. Seuss story is something we dream of,” says Haut, who oversees Dr. Seuss Publishing at RHCB. “SING THE 50 UNITED STATES! releasing in time for America’s 250th birthday makes for such a notable cultural and publishing moment, and we are so excited for young readers and their families to enjoy a special storytime together—a true hallmark of what makes Dr. Seuss books so enduring today.”

Check out photos from the original manuscript and sketch! (Click each image to enlarge.)