Naples Elementary School guidance counselor Stephanie Laird reads Dr. Seuss’s "Green Eggs and Ham" to first-graders during the National Education Association’s Read Across America day Wednesday. The school had various activities planned for the day, including preparing real green eggs and ham. (Jason Chudy / S&S)
Naples Elementary School guidance counselor Stephanie Laird reads Dr. Seuss’s "Green Eggs and Ham" to first-graders during the National Education Association’s Read Across America day Wednesday. The school had various activities planned for the day, including preparing real green eggs and ham. (Jason Chudy / S&S)
The school halls at Schweinfurt Elementary School are decked with Dr. Seuss paraphernalia in honor of the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and to mark Read Across America day. (Margot Cornelius / Courtesy of U.S. Army)
Fifth-grade pupils at the Schweinfurt Elementary School take time out during class to read their favorite book on Read Across America Day. (Margot Cornelius / Courtesy of U.S. Army)
Makayla Young, a first-grader at Schweinfurt Elementary School, leans on the shoulder of her dad, Staff Sgt. Cedric Young of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment as he shows Bryan Rubenacker a picture from Dr. Seuss's "Cat in the Hat" book. Parents were encouraged to go to school to read to students on Read Across America Day. (Margot Cornelius / Courtesy of U.S. Army)
Bamberg Elementary School teachers pretend to be pupils and soldiers in a skit based on the story of "Stone Soup" Wednesday for Read Across America. The "soldiers" were hungry after returning from Iraq and decided to make soup in a new version of the old tale. (Rick Emert / S&S)
NAPLES, Italy — Don’t try to tell Bridgett Walter that Dr. Seuss isn’t one of the most important authors of all time.
“He taught people to read,” said the 7-year-old Naples Elementary School first-grader.
“So Dr. Seuss was one of the best people in my life. He’s like the most best person who wrote any books!”
Bridgett wasn’t alone Wednesday in her praise of Dr. Seuss, as kids at Department of Defense Dependents Schools throughout Europe celebrated Theodore Seuss Geisel on what would have been his 101st birthday as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America day.
The program, which is in its eighth year, is designed to illustrate the importance of reading through Dr. Seuss’ books. This year, organizers hoped to “bring the nation together under one hat,” that hat being the red-and-white stovepipe hat made famous by Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat.
In Naples, pupils were able to make their own hats, and some even celebrated by preparing green eggs and ham. Then there were lots of readings from the books of the good “doctor.”
In Sharon Scott’s first-grade class, the 19 children broke up into three small groups to listen to — and even read along with — Dr. Seuss selections.
“It’s gotten big this year,” said Naples Elementary guidance counselor Stephanie Laird, who was dressed as the Cat in the Hat.
“I think it’s just going to get bigger and bigger.”
And if the events around Europe were any indication, Laird is probably right.
In Germany, officials at Bamberg Elementary School wanted to get some of the more than 1,000 soldiers recently returning to the area from Iraq involved in Read Across America.
So principal Sandy Kuplinski challenged the pupils to “recruit” at least 40 soldiers.
The pupils met the challenge, with 41 soldiers signing in by 10 a.m. and more expected to participate throughout the day. About 80 soldiers and parents volunteered to read to pupils or have the children read to them.
Others joined their children — many sporting the familiar hats — during an assembly that filled the school’s multipurpose room.
“Considering all the deployments and the soldiers coming home, I was really amazed at how many participated,” said Sally Friedrich, a teacher and one of the organizer of the day’s events in Bamberg.
One of the soldiers attending was Sgt. Rocky Bounds from Battery B, 1st Battalion 6th Field Artillery Regiment. His daughter, Alexis, had been talking to him about the event for days.
“I loved it,” Bounds said of the morning assembly.
“It really motivated the kids. I think the kids get a lot out of seeing soldiers come in to show them that reading is important.”
