By Kristina Schnack Kotlus
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Loosen up your tongue muscles and get ready for tongue twisters.
Wednesday is Read Across America Day, celebrated annually on Dr. Seuss’ Birthday.
Librarians across the region are preparing special programs ranging from story times to family crafts.
Lorton Library plans to celebrate the day with a “Seuss is Loose” program with childrens librarian Anne Heising, who will wear the traditional red and white “Cat in the Hat” headwear.
“We’ll be reading a few Seuss favorites like Hop on Pop, and we’ll have bubble wrap for the kids to pop after we read”, Heising said.
Chinn Park Library in Woodbridge, in addition to story times, has a “Super SEUSS” movie time planned at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
Schools are also celebrating, as Antietam Elementary School in Lake Ridge plans to commemorate the Seuss’ birthday with a special “book character day” where children dress up as their favorite character from a book and bring the story to share with friends.
Tami Chaffee, a parent of two Antietam students noted that her children are both “really looking forward to dressing up on Read Across America Day and will be going as Darth Vader and Betsy Ross, since my daughter’s class just finished historical VIPs in history.”
More reading celebrations will take place this weekend, when local non-profit CRIBS will offer a free event: “The Cat in the Hat Presents: STEM, What is a Scientist?”
The event is for children between the ages of four and eight, and director Barbara Edwards –– a Kindergarten teacher by day –– founded CRIBS to help families encourage children to embrace reading and learning.
Edwards says careers of the future are in science and mathematics technology, and feels that this event will help tie literacy in with hands-on science and fun.
The event will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at 12184 Chaucer Lane in Lake Ridge.
The National Education Association created Read Across America day in 1997 in hopes of motivating children to read throughout the year.
Kristina Schnack Kotlus covers style and events for PotomacLocal.com and lives with her family in Woodbridge.
