‘Simpsons’ Animator Lauds Dr. Seuss

David Silverman, producer and animation supervisor of “The Simpsons,” said he was saddened to learn of the death Tuesday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, at age 87. (Stories, A1, E1.)

Dr. Seuss “had a big influence on me as a kid. His books got me interested in cartooning,” said Silverman, who had been negotiating to direct a new Dr. Seuss feature, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

“They were wonderfully illustrated. They had nice little wacky morality plays and nice wacko drawings,” he said.

Silverman said the television cartoons based Dr. Seuss’ books had inspired many younger animators.

He said he did not yet know how the death of Dr. Seuss would affect the planned feature. He did, however, offer this summary of the octogenarian illustrator who built his career on clever wordplay and often surreal illustrations.

“Dr. Seuss was one crazy cat, man,” Silverman said.