Dr. Seuss book explores what came before ‘One Fish Two Fish'

Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman” isn’t the only book out this summer that reveals another look at beloved characters.

Released Tuesday, “What Pet Should I Get?” by Dr. Seuss features the same siblings as “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.” They ponder what kind of animal to acquire, but the end leaves readers guessing.

A flurry of Merced children stopped by the city’s Barnes & Noble to get their copy, according to Rich Lopez, the assistant store manager in Merced.

The store also offered 50 percent off five other Seuss titles when customers purchased the new “What Pet Should I Get?”

Seuss’ real name was Theodor Geisel. He wrote and illustrated more than 40 children’s books. His wife found the text and illustrations for the new book soon after his death in 1991, but they were set aside and only rediscovered in 2013.

A Seussian expert at Geisel’s alma mater, Dartmouth College, believes the new book inspired “One Fish Two Fish,” which is full of fanciful animals.

The Merced store, 1720 W. Olive Ave., plans to celebrate the new book during story time at 7 p.m. Thursday. Barnes & Noble also scheduled a “Dr. Seuss Spectacular” for 7 p.m. Friday.

Merced Sun-Star staff contributed to this report.

This story was originally published July 28, 2015 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Dr. Seuss book explores what came before ‘One Fish Two Fish'."