WNBA Celebrates the "Seussentennial"
Dr. Seuss was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. While Hollywood gave him a star, WNBA gave him literacy programs and birthday parties. WNBA chapters co-sponsored programs with a public library, elementary schools, a teacher association and an academic library in support of our National Education Association (NEA) Partnership program, Read Across America.
In March 2004, while partnering with the local school district and in conjunction with Read Across America, the Dallas chapter participated in a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration and raffle at Border's Books. First-grade teachers and Dallas chapter members read children's stories to the many children who enjoyed the celebration. The highlight was a Dr. Seuss cookie cake and the distribution of books to the children holding winning raffle tickets. There were prizes for all.
In the Detroit chapter, Rita VanBrandeghen of WNBA and a member of the Berkley, Michigan, Public Library Board read to children (3 to 7 years of age) while the librarian provided a related craft activity. State Representative John Stakoe read to North Sashabaw Elementary School students in Clarkston, Michigan. In the afternoon, students were entertained by the Cat in the Hat who read Green Eggs and Ham as Thing 1 and 2 ran around being very mischievous. Detroit chapter President Amy Marcaccio Keyzer teamed up with chapter member Laurel Brant to read Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday to You at Pine Tree Elementary School in Lake Orion. Finally, Madonna University, Michigan, librarian and WNBA member Nancy Bagnasco put up a display of Dr. Seuss books with an NEA poster as a reminder to education students of the importance of reading.
Washington, D.C., chapter members participated in a Read Across America event in support of The Reading Connection, a D.C.-area literacy outreach program for children living in shelters. The event included a reading of Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat, Seuss-themed activities and a book giveaway for 12 to 15 elementary-school-age children who had lived in a shelter.