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January/February 2004
Dear
Fellow Book Lovers:
It
seems fitting to kick off 2004 with a special salute to Theodor
Seuss Geisel, affectionately known as Dr. Seuss. I know that
public and school libraries are planning birthday parties,
Dr. Seuss read-ins, and various other tributes to the man
who some feel “invented” nonsense for children. There are
Internet sites filled with activities, biographical information
on the Internet and in books, posters, pajamas, mugs, boxer
shorts, tee shirts, toys, and other merchandise celebrating
the good doctor. Random House is delivering two exceptional
tributes: a picture book biography, The
Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become
Dr. Seuss , by Kathleen Drull with paintings by Steve
Johnson and Lou Fancher, and the book The
Seuss, The Whole Seuss and Nothing But the Seuss: A Visual
Biography by Charles Cohen. I wonder what Dr. Seuss would
think about all this celebration. I suspect that he would
be thrilled, especially if children were having a good time.
A good time is what Dr. Seuss was all about. He once said,
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.” He loved words,
especially made-up words. He liked laughter, especially out
loud laughter. He loved imagination, especially outlandish
imagination. That's why we have the Grinch, Bartholomew Cubbins,
Horton, Yertle, the Lorax, Sylvester McMonkey McBean, and
other preposterous characters that tickle the funny bone.
Dr.
Seuss was the recipient of the 1980 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award,
a medal awarded by ALSC (Association for Library Services
to Children) for a lasting and substantial contribution to
literature for children. The ceremony was held in New York,
and he and his wife came for the celebration. And what a celebration
it was!!! Librarians gathered en masse to honor Dr. Seuss,
and when he delivered his entire acceptance speech in rhyme,
the audience went wild. There was also a reverence for the
man who commanded so much attention from children. Like Peter
Pan, he was the little boy who never grew up. He made books
fun, reading easy, and life a bundle of laughs.
As
libraries plan a celebration of Dr. Seuss' 100 th birthday
( www.seussentennial.com
), I would like to suggest that special programs be planned
for adults as well. Even adults like costume parties, being
read to, and birthday cakes. They may enjoy a library sponsored
online chat about Dr. Seuss, a Dr. Seuss parade or puppet-show
with their children, or a virtual visit to the Dr. Seuss Memorial
( www.catinthehat.org
). After all, the parents of our young patrons cut their
teeth on Green
Eggs and Ham , and learned to read with The
Cat in the Hat and If
I Ran the Zoo . He taught them the difference between
the imagination and reality in And
to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street . And, Oh,
The Place You'll Go! is as much their book as their children's.
Adults recite his words, and many live by his advice and encouragement:
So…
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So… get on your way!
Happy
Birthday Dr. Seuss.
You
may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us
.
Past
“Words from Pat Scales”
February
2003 – Welcome
March
2003 - Reader Guidance
June
2003 - Current Events
July
2003 - Summer Reading
August
2003 - Back to School
September
2003 - Banned Books
October
2003 - Halloween
November
2003 - Families
December
2003 - Book Fan Clubs
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