Suess's birthday inspires 'Read Across America'

Gracia Valliant remembers teaching a second-grade classroom full of reluctant readers in rural Arkansas. But one day, a student stood in front of the entire class and read his favorite book, "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss.\nAnd he couldn't stop giggling. Neither could his classmates. \n"He was so excited about Dr. Seuss, and he got kids interested," said Valliant, the family literacy coordinator at Templeton Elementary School in Bloomington. "Dr. Seuss books have brought kids together. The books strike a fancy in a child's mind because of the humor and illustrations."\nValliant wants to bring the laughter to the classrooms of Templeton today for Read Across America Day, which is on Theodor "Dr. Suess" Geisel's 100th birthday. At least 30 guest readers are expected to read to the students.\nFrom firefighters to IU athletes, religious leaders to bus drivers, the community figures will show students the importance of reading. Mayor Mark Kruzan will read a special proclamation in honor of Dr. Seuss.\n"Kids need to know they're a part of something positive," said Kruzan. "Young people want to belong, and as adults, we need to recognize kids for the good things they're doing to better themselves."\nAll of Dr. Seuss' 44 books are still in print. Over 500 million copies have been sold. Kruzan joked at the idea that 'Whoville' was what first interested him in local government.\nRead Across America Day is on Dr. Seuss' birthday because it honors his contribution to children's literature, said Manager of Children's Services at Monroe County Public Library Patty Callison.\n"It is a day to reflect on the importance of reading in our lives and to encourage our children to take full charge of their lives by becoming readers," said Callison. "Reading is a habit and a skill. Parents and caregivers need to nurture literacy in children."\nFor a child who does not express interest in reading, Valliant encourages parents to share their love of reading with the child by sitting down with them and discussing a book appealing to their sense of humor. \nKruzan is looking forward to sharing with students the most important lesson he learned from a Dr. Seuss book.\n"It's important to have an imagination and that being different is not only acceptable, it can be a great thing."\n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Levco at jlevco@indiana.edu.