Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Children’s parties set at Hamilton Place, Cleveland State campus
Read Across America week will conclude Saturday, March 3, with events in Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tenn., that promote reading to children and their parents.
The National Education Association annually celebrates the March 2 birthday of Theodor Geisel, most widely known for his children’s books written and illustrated under the pen name Dr. Seuss. A week of literacy activities leads up to a Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss party, held as close as possible to March 2.
Join United Way of Greater Chattanooga for Read Across Chattanooga at Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p. m. This free family event is geared to children 5 years and younger.
Children’s Activities will include face painting, a photo booth, storytime with celebrity readers and a visit from The Cat in the Hat.
Read 20, a public-private partnership that promotes the importance of reading with children at least 20 minutes or more a day, has celebrated Read Across America week by scheduling guest readers in local schools. Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 26-28, readers visited East Lake, Woodmore, Calvin Donaldson and Orchard Knob elementary schools.
Today, March 1, students at Lookout Mount ain Elementary and Avondale Adventist schools will be visited by guest readers. Friday, March 2, readers will visit Hardy and Clifton Hills elementary schools.
A Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss party will be held in the Cleveland State Community College library on Saturday from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m., sponsored by the college’s Early Childhood Education program.
“This is our 14th year and we wanted to do something special,” says Suzanne Wood, CSCC associate professor and Early Childhood Education coordinator. “We are asking children and their families to bring new or gently used books for our new Little Free Library. There will be barrels around campus and at the event to collect the donated books.”
Saturday’s party will honor Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat In the Hat” book. The party is free to children of all ages, but every child must be accompanied by an adult.
Party g uest s wil l include some of Dr. Seuss’ most well-known characters: the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two and the Grinch.
Each child will receive a goody bag and may participate in literacy activities assisted by students in Cleveland State’s language and literacy development class. Members of the Kiwanis Club will be there to give a free hardback Dr. Seuss book to each child. A representative from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will also be on hand.
Activities will be set up inside and outside the library. Children will be entertained with readings of Dr. Seuss stories, including some readings in Spanish and German.
Other activities will include face- painting, hat- making, music and movement. Refreshments and door prizes are also part of the party.
For more information: 423-472-7141, Ext. 282.