Most are familiar with the tale of finicky eating and gibberish that is Green Eggs and Ham. However, we’ve rarely been given insight into the creative process of its author, Dr. Seuss.

Lynda Claassen, director of Special Collections & Archives at the University of California San Diego, shares the creative stash of Theodore Geisel — including sketches and color notes to the book’s printer. The collection also includes Seuss’ handwritten notes on phrasing, which he referred to as his ‘bone pile.’

We also find out how the simplistic and rhythmic phrasing of the book was the result of a bet between Geisel and the book’s publisher. Spoiler… Dr. Seuss won that bet.

[via Laughing Squid]