Posted: March 27, 2003 at 1:34 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- A copy of a sculpture of Theodor Seuss Geisel -- better known as the children's author Dr. Seuss -- is headed for San Diego.

It is part of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield is to be unveiled at the University of California, San Diego, on March 2, 2004, which would have been his 100th birthday.

Geisel, a native of Springfield, spent much of adult life in Southern California, where he died in 1991.

The sculpture to be copied depicts Geisel at his drawing board with the Cat in the Hat by his side, and the work will be done by Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, his stepdaughter who created the original statues.

"He began his life in Springfield, and ended his life in San Diego. It's wonderful to have him at both places," Dimond-Cates told the Union-News of Springfield.

Geisel's widow, Audrey S. Geisel, had requested the copy of the bronze sculpture to be placed along a walkway leading to the university's library, which is named after the author, according to Joseph Carvalho II, president of the Springfield Library & Museums Association.

The library holds much of Geisel's research and illustrations in a special rare book collection. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)