CIRCLE PINES, Minn. – (March, 3, 2016) – To read or not to read. That is a question you’d never have to ask the late Dr. Seuss. With Read Across America Day, the celebration of his life and encouraging children to read have left a lasting legacy. “It’s a national event and Anoka’s very happy to be participating in it. It’s just a fun way to promote early literacy and promote the love of reading throughout the country,” said Anoka County library associate Matt Youngbauer.
At Anoka County Libraries Centennial Branch a variety of Seuss related activities jump started this Wacky Wednesday. “Dr. Seuss was known for making up a lot of words, that’s why he is so fun to read so we have a place can make up their own words and definitions. We have a science experiment going on based on Bartholomew and the Oobleck where kids are making slime and dropping objects in and making predictions about how it will behave so it gives a chance for them to play scientist. We have some craft activities behind me, where they are making masks, we have a Dr. Seuss photo booth and as you can see some of our staff and patrons are dressed a little wackier than normal today,” said Youngbauer.
The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day expected more that 45 million readers to pick up a book and read. The goal is to show children the joy of reading and the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss books is a perfect match. “It’s more to promote literacy and reading in general and Dr. Seuss is often a child’s first introduction to reading. It’s one of the first books that they get read to and it kind of get read easier books when they’re very young and as they get older they can get into some of the larger stories and the wonderful artwork that’s in them so it’s kind of a way to start a love of learning and reading and literacy early,” said Youngbauer.
For Youngbauer that draw to children’s novels actually strikes him on a personal level. “My favorite is probably my least favorite to read. It’s If I Ran the Zoo. It’s my favorite because that’s the one I remember reading to my kids a lot when they were a little bit younger. I’m pretty sure they like to hear it because it’s super long and it meant they got to stay up later and later but that’s probably my sentimental favorite,” said Youngbauer. Even the most simplistic stories carry life long lessons. “Yes, and I think they carry it with them their whole lives,” said Youngbauer.
What still rings true is that reading to children, and books for children both in libraries and at home, are still virtues in America today. Even from stories by a famous whacky writer from long ago. “Reading to the kids and seeing how they respond to the books and Dr. Seuss who has been with us for so long I think sometimes we take him for granted but he’s still so magical,” said Youngbauer. To find more Anoka County Libraries events click here.
