Students celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday

ASHWAUBENON - Students all across the county celebrated the late Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading his popular children's books. Tuesday marked the 13th annual Read Across America Day.

At Pioneer Elementary School in Ashwaubenon, Gail Hodek was the volunteer reader for Mrs. Ehrfurth's first grade class. Hodek read the children Seuss' "Oh, The Things You Can Think."

"I think they get a kick out of the colors and out of the characters. They ask me if they're real and how could the characters do that? So, they're using their imagination," said Hodek.

Dr. Suess was the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisl, a cartoonist and writer from Massachusetts. Suess penned more than 60 children's books. He was born on March 2, 1904 and died on September 24, 1991.

Read Across America was started in 1998 by the National Education Association in memory of Suess. He is best known for his imaginative characters and rhyme.

Other area schools also have been trying to get children interested in reading.

In February, students and staff at Jackson Elementary School in Green Bay made a song and dance video honoring Suess. It was part of a contest hosted by the Green Bay Education Association. Click here to see the video.

Students at Marinette Middle School also put together a video last month to promote the importance of literacy. The 18-second clip has students saying "just read it, just write it, just achieve it ... anchored in literacy!"