Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904, was inspired to write children's books by his mother's rhyming lullabies. He had a happy childhood but was sometimes teased for having German parents. After being caught drinking in college against prohibition laws, he began writing children's books under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss. His book The Cat in the Hat launched his fame as an author and he went on to write over 60 books that continue to delight children worldwide.