Seuss celebration, Celina Record

Celina Library plans celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com Mar 10, 2016 “If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do?” – “Happy Birthday To You!” by Dr. Seuss If Theodor Seuss Geisel had never been born, the world – particularly as it relates to children’s literature – would likely be a very different place. After all, who didn’t read “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat” or “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” as a kid? Better known as Dr. Seuss, late author Geisel’s 112th birthday was officially marked March 2 during celebrations across the country at grammar schools and public libraries, among others. The party continues Saturday at the Celina Public Library, 142 N. Ohio St. An event geared toward children from preschool through elementary-school age will feature Seuss book-themed crafts, refreshments and games. Several of Seuss’ most beloved stories will also be read aloud by none other than the Cat in the Hat (who moms and dads in attendance might recognize during the party as being portrayed by Head Librarian Linda Shaw). “He has a strong ego. He’s very confident and has a good sense of himself, and he thinks his story needs to be told frequently,” Shaw said of the top-hatted Cat. This is the first time the Celina library will host an event in Seuss’ honor. In years past, it has participated in the National Education Association’s annual Read Across America campaign, which typically coincides with the author’s birthday. “He was, I think, one of the first authors who came out with books specifically for early readers and beginning readers,” Shaw said. “The nonsense stories, the silliness about it, the made-up words. His stories all have rhythm and rhyme, but then they also have that wonderful imaginative thing to it where if you’re an adult … it almost doesn’t even make sense, but kids love it.” Shaw said Seuss’ rhyming style helps build pre-literacy skills among youngsters. “That’s why (experts have) always said to read Mother Goose rhymes to kids. Poetry and rhythm are great foundations for learning how to read.” Dr. Seuss books are frequently read by Shaw during weekly story time sessions at the library. “They’re usually long” books, but feature a “good story,” she said. “The Cat in the Hat” is an example of that: “On a rainy day, what are two kids to do? Mothers should pray that (Cat) does not come to their house because he will definitely keep the children entertained” by creating mischief, she said. “It’s a great story.” Also scheduled to appear during the free library event are the blue-haired Thing 1 and Thing 2, who young readers will recognize from “The Cat in the Hat.” “They really mix it up in that story,” Shaw said. At the library party, kids will be able to have their picture taken behind a handmade “Cat in the Hat” photo stand-in board, and dunk gummy fish candies into cups of blue Jello in honor of the tome “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” “It’s going to be fun,” Shaw said.