Honoring Dr. Seuss

"The more that you read, the more things you'll know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

The words of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, rang out to kindergartners at Burchfield Primary School this week, most of whom sat cross-legged on a carpet, wearing stove-pipe, red-stripped hats, and listening to their teachers read the most beloved rhymes ever put into print.

"That cat has a hat like this one," shared 5-year-old Larissa Gonzalez, referring to the paper top hat perched on her brown locks.

Kindergartners turned the annual "Read across America," promotion into a weeklong celebration in honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss' 106th birthday on Tuesday.

Students read his books, made replicas of the Cat's famous hat and, more importantly, ate green eggs and ham.

On Wednesday, more than half of Jenny Lay's class said they wouldn't taste the green concoction.

On Thursday, all but a few said green eggs and ham were delicious.

"Dr. Seuss' books always have a moral," Lay said. "Sneeches" teaches kids about being different. "The Lorax" teaches kids about the environment. "Green Eggs and Ham" teaches kids about trying new things."

But it's his use of rhyme that makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be good readers, Lay said, and sends a clear message that reading is fun and important.

"Dr. Seuss was an old man who died," Brent Brown said sadly. "But he wrote lots of books because he loved kids."

Geisel, who died in 1991, published more than 60 children's books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters. Numerous adaptations of his work have been created, including eleven television specials, three feature films, and a Broadway musical.

"We love his stories," said teacher Christina Rodgriquez. "Dr. Seuss will be alive for a long time in many hearts."

Read Across America is an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.