What are Dr. Seuss's major contributions to society and why is he remembered?

While much of Suess's writing is appealing to children, there is no doubt that there were sometime deeper messages involved. Studies of some of his writing will show decidedly political messages--such as Hooray For Diffendoofer Day which had a definite opinion on standardized testing in schools. These messages were cloaked for children, but parents who read to their children would have been aware of the deeper messages.

As someone who read Dr. Seuss myself, and then repeatedly to my children, I can say I am certainly a fan. But as I have become a teacher, I have to add that I think his books are much better as read-alouds. I do not think they are particularly good for kids who are learning to read, as Seuss uses so many made up words with weird spellings. The language is interesting, with great sounds for the ears, but possibly confusing for learning-to-read eyes.

Dr. Seuss is eminently quotable, and his works are deceptively simple, dealing with timeless themes in a way that young children and mature adults alike can embrace. We wouldn't have Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten if we hadn't had Dr. Seuss. toddlers and elementary schoolers received copies of the The Cat in the Hat; high school and college graduates receive Oh! The Places You'll Go. How many other writers can boast such a diversity of ages in his readership?

I think that one major contribution of Dr. Seuss was the fact that he helped to transform children's literature into something that can be appreciated by more than children.  His fanciful prose and rhyming schemes were elements that came to be appreciated by children, but over time, his works seem to acquire more meaning as the initial child reader grows up and becomes an adolescent and adult.  The work itself does not change, but the reader does, and in looking at the same work over time, new levels of meaning emerge.  This is an experience that happens with reading Dr. Seuss' works, and might be a reason to why his literature is highly compelling and fascinating.

Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) has contributed to society by changing children's books.  He made children's books more interesting and more fanciful.  His use of nonsense words, catchy rhymes and very strange illustrations made his books extremely interesting to children (or at least they sure have been to my children).

He is famous and remembered because of the very distinctive nature of his books.  They are not like any other author's children's books.

My overall impression of his is that he must have had a very lively imagination.  I also think that he must have been politically pretty liberal, as you can see in stories like "Starbellied Sneetches."

What major contributions has Dr. Seuss made to literature?

True, the alliteration, rhyme, and other aspects which are key in all of Dr. Seuss's stories expose the very young to important literary elements. Seuss's works are also an unparalleled source for primary teachers to use in forming a foundation for these and many other literature/language skills in elementary classrooms.

Theodor Geisel was definitely a pioneer in raising the awareness of the general public to the value of children's literature. His books, as well as many written in years prior to his success and for generations afterward are "living" proof that kiddie lit is an incomparable force in World literature. Thanks, in some measure to television and movies.

However, although Ted Geisel's books were written and published for children, except Oh the Places You'll Go, both the humor and the societal commentary in all of his works appeal to "children" of all ages.

The fundamental result that Dr. Seuss has made to American Literature is the idea that a child's viewpoint on life might not necessarily be easily dismissed.  The very idea that adults can consider giving "Oh, the Places You'll Go" to someone who has enjoyed a promotion or to someone in a new phase of life would prove that his contribution to American Literature is quite significant.  The belief that within children's literature much is present to reflect truths about life and consciousness is where Dr. Seuss has made his greatest contribution, his largest impact.  In he final analysis, the transformation of children's literature from what is to what can be represents his largest contribution.