“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” — Dr. Seuss, "Oh, The Places You’ll Go!"
There are very few authors that have impacted children’s literature like Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. He wrote more than 60 books under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and Rosetta Stone and made multiple films and animated specials, resulting in two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and the Pulitzer Prize.
The National Education Association’s Read Across America program encourages reading with children with annual celebrations based around Dr. Seuss’ March 2 birthday.
Schools, libraries, book stores and children’s venues often host special events to celebrate. My daughter’s preschool class will be constructing a huge hat out of red and white paper strips, with the names and authors of books that they read at home. The Cat in the Hat (me) will be making a guest appearance for story time. Hooray, a second life for my Halloween costume!
Read Across America programs for Saturday, March 3:
- 10 a.m.: Barnes & Noble at Clarendon Market Commons Rainy Saturday morning? Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a reading of Dr. Seuss classics, including "Green Eggs and Ham." Kids in attendance get free stickers.
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is hosting its annual Read Across America event, which will include storytime, hands-on activities, prizes for children and information on early literacy. This event is open to children of all ages.
Also, visit P&C Art Galleries in Georgetown to see a special “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” exhibition of artworks by local and regional scholarship finalists hanging alongside the newest releases from “The Art of Dr. Seuss.”
Finally, if you don’t have a chance to participate in a Read Across America event this year, don’t fret. Pick up a book and remember:
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."
