SNOHOMISH — The 22 kindergartners were lined up outside teacher Brittni Klein’s classroom and were told to expect a special visitor.
When they came in, their eyes opened wide, and some of them smiled. Others didn’t know how to react when they discovered who their mysterious guest was.
It was the Cat in the Hat, wearing his signature red-and-white hat.
The visit was part of the Read Across America festivities at Central Primary Center this week. The school, which is pre-kindergarten through second grade, had several activities aimed at getting students to read more with the help of Dr. Seuss books.
Riley Olson, 6, enjoyed reading Seuss’ “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!” — a feat he wished he could do.
“It sounds cool,” Riley said.
The school has celebrated the event for more than 10 years. This year, the school held the event during the day instead of at night like in past years, Principal Heidi Rothgeb said.
This was done so more kids would have the opportunity to participate, she said.
“The focus is on enjoying reading Dr. Seuss books and having fun reading alone or with company,” Rothgeb said.
First grader Morgan Greenway, 7, liked having time reserved to read. She picked up a copy of the Berenstein Bears series, “The Bears’ Vacation.”
She liked the book, but her favorite is a Dr. Seuss classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“I learn about Christmas and how it is about family,” Morgan said.
The event Wednesday coincided with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, whose real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. He was born March 2, 1904.
The national event was celebrated by school districts around Snohomish County.
Edmonds School District had a Dr. Seuss classroom door-decorating contest. It also has a “Rock ‘n Read Marathon,” which started today and is scheduled to last until Sunday. In this event, adults and students from Meadowdale and Edmonds-Woodway high schools will take 30-minute shifts at The Edmonds Bookshop, 111 5th Avenue S., to read nonstop. This event is also a children’s book drive.
Meadowdale Elementary School celebrated by having students wear their pajamas to school. The kindergarten class of Rebecca Hulbert made crafts, and had a reading session of 30 minutes.
“The kids are having a blast,” Hulbert said Wednesday morning amid excited children’s voices.
Her 23 students also drew creatures in a 4-by-8-foot book and wrote to Dr. Seuss about their creations.
In the Monroe School District, the five elementary schools celebrated by having their cafeterias serve green eggs and ham, spokeswoman Rosemary O’Neil said.
“It was lot of fun,” she said. “We recognized what a great opportunity it is for encouraging kids to enjoy reading.”
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
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