A newly unearthed Dr. Seuss story featuring the Cat in the Hat and celebrating the United States is set to hit shelves just in time for America’s 250th birthday.
Titled “Sing the 50 United States,” the book arks the first full Dr. Seuss manuscript discovered since “What Pet Should I Get?” surfaced in 2015, according to CTV News. The manuscript, written by Theodor Geisel himself, was found earlier this year in the author’s archives at the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego, and is designed to help children learn the names of all 50 states. (RELATED: Canadians Said They Were Boycotting Trump By Refusing To Visit US. That Didn’t Last Long For Many)
The excerpts from the rediscovered story feature the Cat in the Hat guiding readers through a playful tour of American history and geography, turning memorization into rhyme, the outlet reported.
“To sing the 50 United States, you have to use your brain,” the Cat declares before launching into a rhythmic roll call. “Massachusetts. Minnesota. Missouri and Montana. M-i-s-s-Mississippi. Maryland! Michigan and Maine!”
Susan Brandt, the president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, called the find an extraordinary glimpse into Geisel’s creative world. “Uncovering a new work from Ted is like finding a time capsule of his imagination,” she said.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 02: Books by Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, including “On Beyond Zebra!” and “And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street,” are offered for loan at the Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library on March 02, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Sing the 50 United States’ celebrates his boundless creativity, genius with words, and enduring ability to inspire young readers everywhere,” Brandt said. “We’re honored to share this new Dr. Seuss treasure with readers across America during such a meaningful milestone year.”
Alongside the manuscript, archivists uncovered Geisel’s original cover sketch and art direction notes. Illustrator Tom Brannon completed new drawings in Seuss’s signature style to bring the unfinished project to life.
Random House Children’s Books plans to release the title on June 2, 2026 — just weeks before the nation’s 250th anniversary — with an initial print run of 500,000 copies.