Happy birthday to one of the world’s most incredible authors! Everyone has a favorite Seuss classic. Maybe you’re reading his books to your baby-to-be, or you’re snuggling with your infant and making memories with every turn of the page. Maybe you and your partner read together at night, dreaming up themes for a Dr. Seuss inspired nursery or a Seuss inspired baby shower! Whatever the reason, Dr. Seuss holds a special, invaluable place in all of our hearts — and today, wherever he is and whatever crazy stories he is dreaming up, we are celebrating his very special day.

At TheBump, we’re marking the occasion with eight of our favorite books. Everyone on our staff has a favorite, but here are eight titles that especially stand out to us:

What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book? How are you celebrating his birthday?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Books to Read to Baby

Best Parenting Books?

Fun Ways to Read With Baby?

Dads, it’s true – having a plethora of information and knowledge will help pave the way to your successful role as a daddy! And these days, it’s easy as there are ample resources available to help mommies and daddies-to-be understand what to expect along the road ahead.

There were three resources I used to prepare for my role as a dad and trust me, I’m so glad I did. Want to know how you can get ready for baby’s arrival?

1. Study the Books — Hard!

As an expectant daddy, it’s hard to feel like you play a big role in baby’s life — after all, your wife is growing your baby inside of her, and you have just been doing your part, doing exactly as you’re told. But you can read up! Buy a book that helps you understand exactly what changes are taking place in your wife’s body (both physically and emotionally!). Sometimes it’s easier to understand just the facts. And, there are so many books available that have been written specifically for dads-to-be! 9 months will fly by like the blink of an eye, and you want to be as prepared as possible.

2. Take the Classes (and Learn to Like Them!)

If you’re into the second trimester of your wife’s pregnancy (or planning ahead), try taking birth and newborn education programs. If you’re expecting your first, then the educational classes will help you realize you are not alone — other soon-to-be dads will be there, too! And if you have friends who are expecting, it might be a fun thing to do together. And don’t dread the class, either. If you go into it open minded, the class can be fun, entertaining and most importantly, informative. My wife and I took an all day seminar together.  The class is entertaining, informative, and actually fun! I

3. Research (All!) the Details

Take a visit to the hospital you and your wife have chosen to have the baby in — it’s worth it, I swear. We just had our third baby and even though I’d been through this two other times, I still had trouble remembering all the hallways and doorways to get to Labor and Delivery. The last thing you could ever want is to be late for baby’s arrival! So, look into a hospital or birthing center tour. Maybe even meet the nurses. Once your wife is in labor and you’re headed to the hospital, you’ll be glad you took that birthing center tour after all.

How did you prepare for baby’s arrival?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Most Terrifying Talk You Need to Have Before Baby Arrives

Top 10 New Dad Fears (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

Secret Thoughts of Newbie Dads

Ever wish you could throw your child a bash that even the celebrity kids would envy? Well thanks to Solei Moon Frye, you’ll soon be able to.

The actress and mom of two announced that she is writing a how-to party guide full of tips on how to throw affordable, stress-free, and kid-friendly get-togethers. The book, set to launch next fall, features kid-approved recipes, easy crafts and party ideas.

“I love putting together parties for our family,” Solei told People magazine. “I get super excited at any chance to celebrate.”

Solei has always had a creative side. As a child, she and her mother would make Halloween costumes from items around the house. She has continued that tradition with her two daughters Poet, 7, and Jagger, 4.

“Last year, Poet was “another being.” She had black wings and we sprayed on streaks so it looked like she had wings,” Soleil told The Bump at Target’s Halloween Party. “It was crazy and amazing! She looked like she landed from another planet or something.”

We look forward to launch of Solei’s book and can’t wait to test out her tips.

Which celebrity would you hire to plan a party?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Plan Baby’s First Birthday Party

Creative Baby Shower Ideas

Nontraditional Baby Showers

Happy Birthday Shel Silverstein! Although the author is no longer with us, parents continue to share his work before bedtime or on a rainy afternoon. And with every poem read, there is a lesson to learn. See some of our favorite words of wisdom from the late, and great, Shel Silverstein.

What’s your favorite Shel Silverstein poem?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Books to Read to Baby

The Bump Picks: Best Children’s Books

Literary Baby Names

When it comes to decorating baby’s room, don’t break the bank! Watch as Lori creates her own wall decor using baby books and a few frames.

How did you decorate your nursery?

Plus more from The Bump:

Gorgeous Electric Nurseries

5 Tricks to Declutter Your Nursery

Nursery Safety Tips

Happy National Read a Book Day! Want to grab something new to read to baby? The Bump staff picked some books we loved as kids and still love as adults. Pick up one of these!

What’s your favorite book from childhood? What do you read to baby?

Plus more from The Bump:

Literary Baby Names

Best Books to Read to Baby

Smart Ways to Play With Baby

These days, more moms are look to best-sellers for the perfect name (Come on, had you met a Bella before Twilight came out?). Although your baby won’t read about these characters for a while, here’s the Cliff Notes version to give them.

Holden (The Catcher in the Rye)

Many consider Holden Caulfield the most important character in American Literature. Unfortunately, he’s famous for being angsty and a bit of a bad boy. Then again, what boy doesn’t go through that phase?

Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

Alice would prefer her imagination to an iPad, and hopefully your daughter will too! She may be a bit of a daydreamer, but she’ll also be determined to succeed. Just keep an eye on her when you pass a rabbit hole.

Jay (The Great Gatsby)

No one exemplifies rags-to-riches quite like Jay Gatsby. The man turned himself into a high society millionaire in hopes of winning over a woman. If your son doesn’t find love, at least he’ll be able to support you in your old age.

Nancy (Nancy Drew)

She speaks French, succeeds in several sports, and has the respect of many adults. Who wouldn’t want their daughter to emulate the famous female detective? Besides, she’d probably make more money as an after-school detective than she would at babysitting.

Harry (Harry Potter)

While the magic makes Harry a memorable character, it’s his loyalty and do-good attitude that make him the perfect namesake. Just be sure to tell your son that, try as he might, he can’t rely on magic to clean his room.

Juliet (Romeo and Juliet)

Many describe this heroine as headstrong, intelligent and beautiful. Sounds like everything you want in a daughter. Be warned: she may be a bit dramatic when it comes to boys.

William (Pride and Prejudice)

We wanted to go with Fitzwilliam, but that might be a name that gets a boy bullied. Instead, try this abbreviated version of the name for a son you’d like to have all of the charm and romance that made women fall for Mr. Darcy.

Anne (Anne of Green Gables)

Intelligent and imaginative are just a few words to describe this loveable orphan. If you plan on making your daughter after this optimistic character, don’t’ forget the “e” at the end! As Anne says, “it’s more distinguished.”

Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Who doesn’t want their son to be a lawyer? Okay, we don’t want you putting any career pressures on your son. Even if he doesn’t follow Atticus’ legal path, he will (hopefully) follow his morals and integrity.

Josephine (Little Women)
It’s hard to pick one of the Alcott sisters, but in the end we went with the tomboy of the group. Jo is able to hang with the boys and girls and, in doing so, can see life from everyone’s perspective.

What character would you name your child after? Who is your favorite character?

Plus more from The Bump:

Best Books to Read to Baby

Baby Name Inspiration from Famous Smarty Pants

The Hunger Games Inspired Baby Names

“Oh no, they did not just say that out loud!” said my shocked husband as I read to him from the new book Sh*tty Mom, a totally hilarious and uncensored look at some of the impossible situations we mothers find ourselves in.  We’re not talking about just the run of the mill breast milk stains and poop explosions here. For example, there are chapters called “Organized Sports Might Be Great for the Kids, but They Suck for You” and “He Wants Sex, You Want to Sew Your Legs Shut for Ten Years.”

Moms, it’s either laugh or cry sometimes, and authors Laurie Kilmartin, Karen Moline, Alicia Ybarbo and Mary Ann Zoellner choose to laugh. What a relief from all the fretting and over analyzing I’m always doing about my mama job!

How do you know if you’re a Sh*tty Mom? Answer these questions:

Did you hate kids before you had one?

Do you hate them even more now (except yours?)

When people say, “Being a mom is so exhausting,” do you think, “Not the way I do it”?

Are you willing to sacrifice some of your child’s happiness so you can sleep for another hour?

Do you ignore any pediatrician’s orders that you don’t agree with?

Does your kid have to have a fever above 100 degrees before you’ll keep him home?

If your kid does have a 100-degree fever, do you debate raising the “keep him home” fever ceiling to 101 degrees?

If you accept the premise that there are two kinds of moms at the park, “Plays with Her Children Mom” and “Texts from the Bench Mom,” then are you the latter?

If you had to choose a babysitter who:

a)      Plays with your children but arrives late

b)      Ignores your children but arrives on time, would you choose b? (No fair saying you’d make “a” come early.)

Did becoming a mom make you realize that your own mother was worse than you thought?

If you answered yes to three or more questions, you are a Sh*tty Mom.  

Let’s face it, we’ve all had Sh*tty Mom moments. Like the time I read the weather report for NY by accident and sent my LA kids to school in long sleeves and pants on a 90 degree day. Or the time I gave my daughter a piece of chocolate to get her to stop crying while I was on the phone. Or how about the time I really acted my age and in retaliation threw all my son’s DVDs in the pool he had just chucked my cell phone in? Unfortunately, I could go on and on.

If you’re ready to laugh and embrace your imperfectly perfect self in “the parenting guide for the rest of us,” you can find a copy here.

Are you a Sh*tty Mom? What’s your Sh*tty Mom moment confession?

Plus, more from The Bump:

You Know You’re a Mom When…

Before I Had Kids, I Swore I’d Never…

Craziest Things New Moms Did

I’m fashionably late to the Fifty Shades party. My mom friends have buzzed about it for weeks, calling it the best love story they’ve ever read. Husbands everywhere are celebrating the sizzling effects they’ve seen in the bedroom as a result of their wives reading it. Personally, I gravitate toward haunting non-fiction memoirs by triumphant women like Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. But I do love to mix it up with some good pop lit (especially ones that include mysterious, brooding men.) So I took the leap and dove into Fifty Shades with open arms.

I’ve tried to love it. I have. But here’s why I’m not a Fifty Shades-ophile (so far):

The writing is clunky and repetitive: I totally get this isn’t supposed to be Pulitzer prize material (and hey, I loved Twilight so I’m no literary snob), but if I have to read about Miss Steele’s “cheerleading inner goddess” or “scolding subconscious” one more time I think I might gag and tie myself up to the bed.

It’s not believable: Okay, so a werewolf imprinting on a vampire baby isn’t exactly realistic either, but for a story set in the modern day real world (I can tell from the musical references), I’m having a hard time believing the young, sheltered, innocent Ana would be so open to Mr. Grey’s…interests. Plus, she’s a college student and doesn’t have email or a computer?

It’s not hot, it’s scalding. While I’m all for steamy love scenes, I’m not finding most of Ana and Mr. Grey’s trysts sensual at all. I’m thinking more about logistics and safety than anything else. I know that Ana is a willing participant, but I can’t help but think she’s so young of mind she’s not thinking clearly and some of the scenes sound like abuse to me. Maybe I’m oversensitive to this because I have a young daughter?

Should I press through and finish the series? Anyone else not hooked? Who should be cast in the movie?

Plus, more from The Bump

How Often Other Moms are Having Sex

How to Rev Up Your Sex Life

Do People Actually Have Sex After Babies?

Get some name ideas from the hot book turned movie The Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor when it comes to picking one out!

Baby Girl Names Inspired by The Hunger Games

Katniss: The book series’ heroine is totally kick-butt and would do anything for her family — including taking her younger sister’s place as tribute (or player) in the Hunger Games, a competition in which kids from different districts are pitted against each other to fight to the death. Pick this name for a strong (and determined!) baby girl.

Rue: Rue is a tribute whom Katniss befriends while competing in the Games. She’s small and slight, but she’s also clever. Although Rue means “regret,” it’s also the name of an herb with healing powers.

Primrose: Primrose is the name of Katniss’s little sister. It’s very nature-oriented and sounds sweet and demure.

Effie: Effie has been around for a while — it’s a popular Greek nickname. The character in the books is Katniss and Peeta’s chaperone during the competition, so she’s very punctual and cares a lot about appearances. We’re thinking it might be a good alternative to the super-popular name Ellie.

Glimmer: This is the name of another tribute in the competition — it’s pretty flashy, so choose this if you’re looking for something dramatic.

Baby Boy Names Inspired by The Hunger Games

Peeta: One of Katniss’s love interests and fellow tribute in the Games, Peeta is a sensitive soul, but he’s also very individualistic. He once said about the Games, “I just want to show them that they don’t own me.” Peeta’s a smart cookie, but he’s also humble at the same time. It’s fitting for a baby who’s quiet and unassuming, but super-intelligent and kind.

Gale: Katniss’s best friend, Gale is strong and reactive. He’s devoted to and protective of the people he loves, namely Katniss. Gale would be a good name for a tough baby who’s dedicated to his family and friends.

Haymitch: This one sounds a little kooky, but that’s because his namesake is pretty crazy in the books! Haymitch is Katniss and Peeta’s mentor during the competition. If you name your baby Haymitch, you can call him “Mitch” for short.

Cato: Cato is a tribute who’s brash, confident and daring. It’s the perfect name for a larger-than-life personality.

Cinna: Cinna is actually a boy — he’s Katniss’s stylist. The character has a flair for style — so this name is pretty chic.

Are you going to see the movie? Would you ever give your baby a Hunger Games-inspired name?