Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! There Is No One Alive Who Is Youer Than You
March second, otherwise known as Read Across America Day, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss’s birthday, has been celebrated by elementary schools across America since 1998. Everyone knows Dr. Seuss … cartoonist, storyteller, and one of my heroes (along with Walt Disney, because that is how I do this adult thing). There isn’t a person who doesn’t have a favorite Dr. Seuss book (and if you don’t, you’re dead inside).
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! There Is No One Alive Who Is Youer Than You
For me, the first book I remember reading all the way through was Green Eggs and Ham, that silly book about Sam I Am. I have also been in total love with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas since I was a child, still reading the story and watching the movie every single year at Christmastime … and if we are being honest … a couple times during the year (I even have Grinch magnets on my refrigerator … and they are NOT for the kids). I still cry, and get motivated beyond belief EVERY TIME I read Oh, The Places You’ll Go (If you haven’t read this book, stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW, and go read this masterpiece).
His books have been highly quoted (especially by me), he was (and still is) an inspiration to many, and his books have been read and reread again and again. It is no wonder he is the face of Read Across America Day every year.
Each year, during the week of March second, many elementary schools hold a spirit-week of sorts (with a different theme each day, corresponding with one of the many books of Dr. Seuss), culminating in Read Across America Day. On this day, kids (and grownups) are encouraged to grab a book and read. It serves to motivate the individual, celebrate reading, and bring awareness to reading and story telling. It is a day where adults are encouraged to read to children and children of reading age are encouraged to read themselves (and geeky adults, like myself, grab a Dr. Seuss book, and celebrate too).
Some bookstores even join in the madness, holding Seuss-themed events during this week. There are book readings, Seuss-themed costume contests, and even pajama story times. All of these events are designed to do one thing (okay, two): celebrate and encourage reading (and celebrate the man who was Dr. Seuss).
If you want more information on this fun-filled, book-filled week, there are a plethora of websites out there devoted to Read Across America. You can go to Seussville to get all kinds of printables and activities. You can also go to the National Education Association’s website to get all the information you will ever want or need about this fun day.
I will leave you with this: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss, from I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Now go grab a book and read!!