EASTERN OHIO youngsters don't have wockets in their pockets and probably don't want to have duck's feet, but they're getting an extra dose of Dr. Seuss and his unusual characters in special displays and activities this month.
A spot check of area libraries reveals that displays featuring Dr. Seuss, his books and his unusual characters are being featured in connection with his birthday anniversary which occurred Thursday.
In addition, the National Education Association's Read Across America program for this year focuses on "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss and the NBC/Universal's new film about that fuzzy yellow creature, who battled the unsustainable harvesting of Truffula trees. "The theme is green" for this special celebration, according to the NEA.
Article Photos
Photo/SANDI THOMPSON
CELEBRATING Dr. Seuss’ birthday anniversary at the Puskarich Public Library, Cadiz, are these Harrison County Head Start students. In the back row, from left, are Loelai Manbeck, Jarrett Ferrell, Cameron McAfee, Gabriel Ross and James Hunt while in the front are Alaina Ferrell and Jerzee Parker. More information about Dr. Seuss is on Page A1.
The film was released on Seuss' 108th birthday anniversary, and Oglebay Institute's Schrader Environmental Education Center along with the Marquee Cinemas at The Highlands had special activities Saturday.
Brandi Little, children's librarian at the Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library, said the library is partnering with the Barnesville Elementary and Middle schools for Read Across America activities March 9. Some activities for that observance also have been held elsewhere.
The library has a display with decorations related to the famed author, including his various books.
Noting his books appeal to a lot of ages, Little added they definitely appeal to beginning readers. She indicated first graders like them because of short lines they can read and words that are repetitive.
Especially popular are "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham," and many activities can be related to those two books, according to Little.
Among the other authors of popular children's books, Little said, are Eric Carle, who wrote "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," and Bill Martin with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
"Dr. Seuss appeals to all age groups," said Sandi Thompson, director of the Puskarich Public Library, Cadiz. "We all grew up with Dr. Seuss and know him well, and we love to celebrate his birthday, too."
She also mentioned his appeal to storytime age youngsters.
In observance of his birthday anniversary and the new movie, Seuss' books are in a special display area at the Puskarich facility.
"He has so many classics," Thompson said, adding that one of his newer books, "Oh, the Places You'll Go," has been very popular and so have been "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" and "Green Eggs and Ham."
She said other popular children's books include all of the Curious George series and the Arthur series. "We have a lot of newer series now; there are always new titles available, but the old classics always resurface."
As to Seuss' most popular books, Marnice Gooch, children's library at the Bellaire Public Library, said, "Oh, my, there are so many." She also mentioned some had been made into television specials.
After indicating how well youngsters like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Gooch said, "'Green Eggs and Ham' is always real popular."
She also mentioned other popular children's authors such as Mo Willems, who wrote the "Elephant & Piggie Book," and Jan Thomas, author of "Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny!"
She has used several Seuss books in storyhour, and they are shelved with the library's bigger books. The children's librarian explained they're not really picture books and appeal to grade school students.
Playing games, reading Dr. Seuss stories, having cupcakes and singing "Happy Birthday" are among the special children's activities at the Martins Ferry Public Library, according to Casey Stratton, children's librarian.
Noting it's really hard to name the most popular Seuss books because of the different themes, she indicated "Green Eggs and Ham," "The Cat in the Hat," the Horton books and "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish and Blue Fish" are especially interesting to youngsters.
Stratton mentioned Eric Carle, Mo Willems and Laura Numeroff, the latter whose books include "The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza," as being among the favorite children's authors.
She said the school-age group typically favors Seuss books, because they're more imaginative, and things come up, making it harder for the younger ones to follow completely.
Danielle Francis, children's librarian at the St. Clairsville Public Library, said a preschool program on Dr. Seuss was held at the library, and a lot of his books are being used.
Youngsters like such books as "The Foot Book" and "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?," she added.
Among other popular children's books, Francis said, are "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" series, the Arthur series and the Berenstain Bears books.
Mentioning the popularity of the artwork in the Seuss board books for young children, the St. Clairsville children's librarian said even past third grade, children read Seuss' longer books.
It doesn't take "Hunches in Bunches" to know that youngsters can encounter creatures found nowhere else by reading Seuss books, which tell about Sneetches, an Oobleck and the Poozers, who live in Pomplemoose Pass with the latter discovered when "I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew."
Pokas can be reached at bettypokas@yahoo.com.
