SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- The first national museum dedicated to Dr. Seuss is opening in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss will feature interactive exhibits, a collection of personal belongings and explanations of how Theodor Geisel's own childhood experiences shaped his work. Like the books, the museum is meant to inspire and thrill children.

Visitors are taken through Geisel's boyhood bedroom, his grandparents' businesses and different rooms with themes based on different Dr. Seuss books.

The rooms are painted in brilliant blues and radiant reds and decorated with almost fanatical detail with scenes from the books.

One of Geisel's stepdaughters says Dr. Seuss "would absolutely be at ease" at the museum.