By Staff
Melissa Cason
Schools throughout the county will be putting even more emphasis on reading this week in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday.
Every year, the birth of beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss, is celebrated with a program called Read Across America.
Russellville West Elementary Librarian Mary Kay Rogers has been planning this year's Read Across America for a few weeks, and the school will have different activities to generate interest in learning to read.
"We always celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday during this week because Dr. Seuss loved writing children's books and making it fun for children to read," Rogers said.
Rogers said West will also have a family night on Tuesday to include the parents in the program.
"We are going to have lots of activities for the students, and we will also have a mystery reader who will come and read a story to the children and their parents," Rogers said.
Family night will begin at 6 p.m.
The activities for the week include: Monday is "The Cat in the Hat" day. Students may wear their favorite hat to school to celebrate Dr.Suess' birthday.
Tuesday is "The Foot Book" day. Students wear crazy socks and shoes on this day.
Wednesday is "The Tooth Book" day. Students make sure they brush their teeth because you'll be getting your spring pictures made this day.
Thursday is "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" day. Students should try to wear red and blue clothes today.
Friday is "Dr. Seuss' Sleep Book" day. Students may wear their pajamas to school today. See school for guidelines.
In addition the fun themes, each library class will have a different reader.
"We have different people coming to read to the students," Rogers said.
Guest readers include parents, teachers, and principals from other schools as well as community leaders.
District Attorney Joey Rushing, School Board Members Wanda Bain, and Greg Bachelor and Chamber Director Cheryl Bradford are a few of the community leaders who are taking time out to read to the students.
Rogers said Dr. Seuss is celebrated in the schools because of his contribution to children's education everywhere.
Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel, began writing and drawing strange characters as a small boy. While he is best known as Dr. Seuss, Geisel worked in different areas of literature including as a screen writer.
In 1946, he won an Academy Award for one of his screenplays. He wrote "The Cat in the Hat" in 1957. He began working on his beginning reader series in 1958.
Today, Geisel is the known worldwide as Dr. Seuss and his work is loved by millions of children.