Yes, it's Read Across America Day today! While a good chunk of us East Coasters are reveling in a gosh-darn, actual snowstorm, it's the perfect time to hunker down with a good book. (Okay, maybe it's just us in the mid-Atlantic region who are excited-- this is our first real snow this winter! Sorry New England, but we're thrilled!) Unfortunately, that means many schools will be rescheduling their RAA activities, but you should always be able to fit in more reading time in a school schedule, in my humble opinion.
So, Happy Birthday to you, dear Mr. Geisel, and thank you for your immeasurable contributions to children's love for reading all over the world. Personally, I think The Lorax ranks at the top of my favorites of your 'traditional' books, but my absolute fave is My Many Colored Days, the book your dear wife had published in 1996 after you had already left us. This is more than one of those typical 'feelings' books. Your words flow with an ease that isn't always easy to find, and the illustrations are done in a way that undoubtedly matches your requests when you put the manuscript down in 1973, bringing amazing color that matches your words with vibrancy and power. Your books are in a league of their own-- so often bringing that silly kind of joy that can only be found in the presence of children. You encourage children to play with language, and honestly, isn't that one of the best ways to give their language development a boost? A neat little story to read came to me via my former co-teacher, who still passes along a regular stream of fantastic guffaws, political pieces and education-related stories. Check out a few things you may not have known about our beloved Dr. Seuss's books.
I hope all of you out there with little ones can stop for just a moment today as you're reading to your children, and try to mentally record the moment. When I'm old and gray, I hope to be able to conjure up those images-- laying on the floor in Pudge's room or snuggled up on the couch, surrounded by my babies and our books. Most definitely, good times.
Sharing the book love,
I think I will insist on having at least a reading "hour" today inbetween the packing--sadly I'm mostly going with TV and computer for my kids today. But every now and then I say, "NO PLUGS for the next hour!" so one of those will be only books. I did dress my baby in a Horton shirt!
ReplyDeleteYes, sweet memories. I can still feel my little guy wedging his way into my lap to read. He's almost five now, and still loves to read and snuggle, but he doesn't fit in the way he used to.
ReplyDeleteAnd HA about the snow. We thought we were sort of done with it, and I don't mind. My mother-in-law (in VA) has been complaining all winter, so I know she's loving it too.
My older sister is named after Dr. Seuss' secretary! She was a good friend of my mom's. As kids we had signed books from him. Don't know what happened to them . . . so sad.
ReplyDeleteI loved Dr. Seuss books when I was little.
My kids adore Dr. Seuss books. Green Eggs and Ham would make the most requested list in my house. They have always been great first books for kids learning to read. Thank you for sharing the interesting article about Dr. Seuss.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we did do some reading... but somehow the wee ones' school totally missed the boat on it. Bummer!
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