More than three decades after Dr Seuss’s death, the beloved children’s author (real name Theodor Geisel) is set to publish a “new” book next summer. Titled Sing the 50 United States!, the never-before-seen manuscript was discovered earlier this year in the archives of the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego, and will be released on June 2, 2026.

The book, which stars the Cat in the Hat and two of his Little Cat companions, invites readers on a cross-country adventure through rhyme. Each page is designed to help children memorize the names of all 50 US states. The timing of its release is no accident: it coincides with America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, turning the late author’s rediscovered manuscript into both a celebration of language and a nod to national unity.

Random House Children’s Books, which holds the rights to Seuss’s works, confirmed that the manuscript was found alongside a cover sketch, handwritten notes, and detailed art direction from Seuss himself. Illustrator Tom Brannon was tapped to complete the visuals, carefully following the late author’s instructions to retain the familiar Seussian flair—whimsical lines, zany color palettes, and all.

The first edition will see a print run of half a million copies, with a portion of the books distributed to schools across the country through the nonprofit First Book.