It's a Cat in a Hat; How about that?
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on March 3, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Ki'Mirah Williams, 4, raises her hand to vote that "The Cat in the Hat" is her favorite Dr. Seuss book during the celebration of his birthday at the Wayne County Public Library. The event brought a large crowd together for Dr. Suess stories read by the Cat in the Hat as well as themed activities and snacks.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Laura Rachel Barwick, children's librarian, reads "The Cat in the Hat" while dressed as the character for the celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.
The children listened to the story about the Cat in the Hat.
They listened quietly as they sat and they sat.
March 2 was Dr. Seuss' birthday at the library on Ash.
More than 100 children registered to attend the big smash.
For the children, there were games, coloring and toys galore.
The parents watched and relaxed on the floor.
There were who's-its, and what's-its, Thing One and Thing Two, and a charming young librarian dressed like Cindy Lou Who.
The children wore silly hats and won prizes like Seussical glasses.
Nine-year-old Emily Strickland won some, looking sweet as molasses.
But it was the children's librarian, Laura Rachel Barwick, who stole the show.
Her tall hat, and black nose made the children say "whoa ...
"It's the Cat in the Hat," (which she read from a book).
She silenced the children with one gentle look.
"It's Read Across America Day," she said. "Someone, somewhere is reading a book."
Then she had a pledge that the children took.
Ms. Barwick wanted the audience to sign, so she had Sydney Dickerson read each line.
Sydney is only 5, but her love for reading started a group -- so she read from the pledge to give her friends the scoop.
"We promise to read, each day and each night, we know it's the key to growing up right," she said.
The pledge will be hung in the library, for all to see, that these children will be smart, that they all want to read.
Then Ms. Barwick read "Cat in the Hat" in a funny voice. Her antics and noises made the children rejoice.
The interactive storytime had questions and answers to Dr. Seuss' whimsical rhymes.
Harrison Hatch, age 3, likes the Doctor, he is a fan.
He said, "I like the ham one, where he doesn't like ham."
"Green Eggs and Ham" was a popular choice, other favorites were "Cat in the Hat" and "Horton Hears a Who."
After Ms. Barwick, published author LaVone Hicks read something new.
She read from her book, "The Thing that Lived Upstairs," and delighted the audience with the spooky story she shared.
Library public relations coordinator Melissa Sheldon took photos for the library's Facebook use.
She laughed, "Little kids on up, everybody loves Dr. Seuss."