Library sponsors Seusspicious Behavior

Shouting with glee, children in colored Lorax masks lined the halls. Waiting under the decorated truffula trees that hung on the walls, excited faces stared in awe as legendary Dr. Seuss characters came to life. After playing games such as hopping on pop and fishing for blues and reds, families met with Thing 1 and Thing 2 for pictures and fun.

The Monroe County Public Library sponsored its annual Seusspicious Behavior benefit on March 3. Celebrating the March 2 birthday of Dr. Seuss, the Children’s Corner Cooperative Nursery School worked with the children’s library section for a day of Seuss spectacular.

 WTIU, the public television and radio program broadcasted through IU, presented Cat in the Hat characters Things 1 and 2 and provided free books and cartoons to the attendees. The Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization promoting library programs in the community, supplied money and materials for the Bloomington High School North drama program. Playing every 30 minutes, families filled the library auditorium to see the school’s production of the shortened production of the latest Dr. Seuss movie, “The Lorax.”

“The Lorax,” is a tale about a boy looking for the last truffula tree and meeting the Lorax, a character fighting to protect the world.

“Volunteers from Parks and Recreation, the IU School of Library and Information Sciences and other organizations helped out a lot,” children’s librarian Christina Jones said. “They organized the games and crafts and provided cupcakes for the children and parents.”

Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation is a large contributor to the event as well.
Lynsie Haag, a program specialist for the Seuss event, said this year’s Seusspicious Behavior event had a great turnout.

“There were about 200 people here and 100 people in the audience of the theater show,” Haag said. “This is my fourth time working here. The event has definitely grown in the past couple of years. A lot of people are doing the Seuss thing now because the movies are coming out.”

Families bonded during games of Hop on Pop hopscotch, face painting and Dr. Seuss board games.

“The kids get stickers after they complete each game,” said Hanna Huff, a Parks and Recreation intern. “At the end of the day, when they win all of the stickers, they get a prize. It is fun motivation for them.”