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On Dr. Seuss' Birthday, a Reading Feast

Thirty-six squirming preschoolers, straining to get a better look at the pages of The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham -- could there be a better birthday tribute to Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss?

That's the scene that played out at Richmond's Elizabeth Redd Elementary School this morning, as two preschool classes celebrated Seuss' birthday (March 2) in style, donning red-and-white hats, listening to guest readers, and, finally, hosting a brief reception with punch and animal crackers. Across Virginia -- and the nation -- schools everywhere hosted events as part of the National Education Association's Read Across America program. NEA launched the program in 1997 to celebrate and promote reading.

VEA President Kitty Boitnott (at right) read to the students at Redd E.S., as did Angela Dews, president of the Richmond Education Association (REA), and Gerard Robinson, Virginia education secretary. Boitnott, on leave from her job as a school librarian, found her groove quickly with a spirited reading of the Cat.

"One of my favorite things to do is to read to children, so this has been a treat for me today," said Boitnott. Read Across America "makes sure that kids learn to approach reading as a skill they need to do well to be successful in life," she added.

Redd E.S. Principal Regina Farr mentioned other benefits. "It helps the children to see that adults still read, and that they can show they have a love of reading, too," she said. Further, "It's always great to have visitors, and volunteering to read is an easy way to do that. All it takes is a book and a smile."

Dorothy Smith, a preschool teacher at Redd, said what she takes away from Read Across America each year "is the smiles on the faces of the students when you're reading to them." Smith organized the Read Across activities at Redd, and she is vice president of the Richmond Education Association. Next up on the Read Across menu? Redd students will soon be feasting on green eggs and ham!

Do you have a great story (and/or photos) from your Read Across America celebration? Send them to John O'Neil at VEA Communications, joneil@veanea.org.

View more photos on our Flickr page (below)!