6 minute read
YOUR Kids
CELEBRATE Dr. Seuss & Reading
ALL MONTH LONG
BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG
Who doesn’t have a favorite Dr. Seuss book? Maybe it’s “The Cat in the Hat” and that comical and clever character that we have all read and watched for a laugh and a rhyme. Or maybe it’s your copy of “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” received as a graduation gift and remaining a reminder of all that life holds for you no matter your age. Perhaps, it’s “Green Eggs and Ham,” and the forever memorable lines you find yourself quoting even as an adult. Perhaps, no other children’s author inspires such memories and preserved childhood observances in literature than Seuss and his collection of books.
His body of work inspired “Read Across America Day,” also known as “Dr Seuss Day,” as a yearly observance in the USA inaugurated by the National Education Association. It is held to commemorate the March 2nd birthday of iconic American author, Theodor Seuss Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss. The celebration is to encourage children in reading more books and also getting them excited about reading.
Seuss is widely recognized for his contribution as a writer, poet and cartoonist. He wrote forty-six books for children mainly based on imaginative characters and rhymes. His work has also been adopted into many television specials, feature films and television series. He credited his mother to be his first inspiration. She often chanted rhymes to her children in order to sooth them to sleep which developed the desire and affection in Geisel to create rhymes. His early life in Springfield and the memories of his childhood had an influence on his writings which can be observed in his work.
The ten-year period between 1950 and 1960 saw the incredible Dr. Seuss write some of the most classic pieces of children’s literature in history. He followed up the release of “If I Ran The Zoo” in 1950 with “Horton Hears a Who!” in 1955, “If I ran the Circus” in 1956, “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” in 1957 and “Green Eggs and Ham” in 1960. It is safe to say that Dr. Seuss is a cultural phenomenon, with the legacy of his work stretching far beyond his own life, inspiring kids and adults to keep reading not just his books, but books in general!
How to celebrate Dr Seuss Day?
The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss is part of many children’s first foray into the literary world, which is why it’s such a fun day to celebrate. On the day, children get together to read his books – lots of them sound even better out loud! Sometimes, children might choose to dress up as their favorite characters, too.
Most importantly, Dr. Seuss Day is a celebration of children’s literature. So, if Dr. Seuss isn’t your favorite, you can still get involved by celebrating his influence on children’s literature, and by enjoying some of your own favorite authors.
Five
Seusstastic Ideas for Celebrating Dr. Seuss Day
1. Have fun making “The Cat in the Hat” hats. 2. Discover your child’s favorite Dr. Seuss book and read it together. 3. Throw a party to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Have everyone come costumed as a different character. 4. Make creative Seuss-inspired crafts. Use favorite Seuss book quotes in each. 5. Make Seuss sticks for math manipulatives. Make learning fun!
Whether through the books of Dr. Seuss or any book that inspire and delight – always maintain reading in your children’s lives. Through the lines of a book and the images contained within, imaginations are born and nurtured – fostering a lifetime of: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
TRACT 4
TRACT 4
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Favorite Spring top ten Break Reads
BY EMILY EVANS
My love of reading and words began as a very young child. My father was an English major at Princeton and then spent his forty-six year career as an English teacher and college counselor at his alma mater, later mine as well. He read to me every night — as far back as I can remember — after teeth were brushed and I was tucked in bed. He shared his love of words, books and reading by reading to me, having me join him in the evenings to work on the crossword puzzle and on outings together to book shops. Our family of four spent a month in Maine every summer in a cabin on a lake, and reading was a nightly ritual after a busy day of water-skiing, boating and fishing.
Fast forward through my high school and college years, I finally started reading for pleasure again after college when I was working and just married. I started collecting children’s books when I was pregnant with our first child. I could not wait to read to our children as my dad had read to me. Thankfully, all three of our children share my same love of books and reading. They always knew that I would never say no to a book request if we were in a store! The tooth fairy usually brought them a book, and Santa always brought a basket full of new books on Christmas morning. Most of their birthday party favors were a book based on the theme of their party or had a character in the book with their name. My dad continued his tradition of reading with my children before bed whenever we visited with them. And like with me, my dad always took my children on bookstore outings. While our family grew from one to three children, my husband and I maintained demanding jobs. Kid's activities multiplied per child. It seemed like seven days a week, as I was most often exhausted, reading became a vacation pastime only. Then, three years ago, I entered a new season. I stopped working full-time to focus on my family and my monogramming hobby. I joined a neighborhood book club and was back in my reading groove! Last August, I was fortunate to start teaching at The Little School in Franklin, so I am in my element getting to share my love of children's books again each day — since my children are too old! I am especially proud of my toddler class and watching their love of reading develop!
As my passion for reading grows, I have enjoyed reading different genres. I choose my books by following Goodreads, "bookstagram" and authors on social media. I am in the Williamson County Public Library several times a week, borrowing books and buying donated books to support the Friends of the Library. If I love one book by a particular author, I tend to then get hooked on the author! Some of my favorite authors are Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry, Colleen Hoover, Lisa Genova and William Kent Krueger. The following is a list of ten of my top favorite books that I highly recommend as you look ahead to your spring break reads. They were difficult to narrow down and choose, and they are not in any particular order! I adore recommending books and sharing my love of reading, so please follow me on Instagram: @letsreadtherainbow
