“The Cat in the Hat” has been a smash hit with children since the Dr. Seuss book was first published in 1957. Now, the beloved character will take up permanent residency at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

“The Cat in the Hat” is immortalized in a limited-edition, 4-foot-tall bronze statue as an enduring tribute and inspiration to the spirit of all children and their families. It will be unveiled on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. in its new home atop a pedestal on Main Street, on the second floor of Children’s Hospital.

The jaunty statue is a gift from the family and friends of the late Monroe Carell Jr., the philanthropist and business magnate for whom the hospital is named. The unveiling takes place on what would have been Carell’s 78th birthday.

"My husband wanted this hospital to be a place that delights children, even as they come here for care and healing,” said his widow, Ann Carell. “The Cat in Hat is a perfect addition to the art and spirit of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, as one of the favorite characters in the stories of one of the best-loved children’s authors. While this sculpture is a gift from family and friends in honor of my husband, it is also a gift to all the children whose visit here will be a little happier because they’ve encountered their feline friend in the big striped hat.”

The event will be attended by members of the Carell family, as well as Vanderbilt Chancellor Nick Zeppos; Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Jeffrey Balser, M.D.; Kevin B. Churchwell, M.D., chief executive officer and executive director of Children’s Hospital; members of the Children’s Hospital Board of Directors; and other key staff members. Also in attendance will be longtime Nashville arts patron Donia Dickerson, a friend of the Carell family who coordinated the acquisition of the sculpture.

“The Cat in the Hat” book will be sold in the hospital’s Friends Shop, as well.

The artistic talent of Ted Geisel went far beyond illustrations in his fantastic, imaginary worlds of Dr. Seuss. He always dreamed of sharing his works with his fans and entrusted his wife, Audrey, to carry out his wishes once he was gone. In 2006, this dream was realized when The Art of Dr. Seuss sculpture project was launched, creating bronze Seuss sculptures of his most beloved characters for the first time.

“We are proud to have the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt among this honored family of patrons,” says “Art of Dr. Seuss” collection curator Bill Dreyer, who also will attend the unveiling.

Geisel wrote 44 books between 1937 and 1990, changing the way generations of children learned to read. While his most prominent legacy is in children’s literacy, his artistic legacy continues to cross over generations and genres, influencing the worlds of art, literature and pop culture. Many of today’s top talents pay tribute to Dr. Seuss as a key influence in their own artistic development. As Dr. Seuss said, “Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”