It’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday today, or it would’ve been had he not died more than 20 years ago. The school where I work had a big birthday bash; it was cute. Seuss’ catchy rhyming and whimsical illustrations have captivated generations of readers.

These are books that are still relevant today. I mean, what’s more classic than How the Grinch Stole Christmas!? And yet the meaning of the book—how Christmas is more than just things—is as important today as when it was published (perhaps even more so). His books speak to the fundamentals of humanity, those little lessons of kindness and happiness that we all must learn. I will judge my favorite books on those lessons:

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This book teaches us to look beyond the trappings of the season to the true meaning within: love. Who doesn’t need to be reminded of this occasionally?
2. Green Eggs and Ham. Although the main character flatly refuses to eat green eggs and ham, he finally gives in and realizes that he likes them, proving that we should try something before refusing it.
3. The Lorax. It seems that Seuss was a conservationist and believed in the power of one person to make a difference. Sometimes we just need to believe in our own abilities.
4. Horton Hears a Who! Everybody, no small or how big is important. Perfect message.
5. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! This book doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties new adults face in the world—the hard decisions, the bad moments—but it does give hope.
6. The Cat in the Hat. I’m not sure what this book teaches, honestly. Maybe responsibility.
7. And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. The power of imagination!
8. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! Ideas and possibilities are endless. Seuss proves them himself with a dizzying array of creatures and books.
9. Horton Hatches the Egg. Adorable Horton again, taking on the travails for others. In this book he demonstrates dedication and integrity.
10. There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! This book teaches us to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, the magical in the mundane.

Read a Seuss book in this remarkable man’s honor. He taught us a lot about life as children, and he’s still teaching.