Cats wearing red and white hats, Things 1 and 2, and even green eggs and ham made appearances at Fontana schools last week in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America.  Things were definitely Seussical at Beech Avenue Elementary School on March 3, as they celebrated with an afterschool Book Fair, complete with fun-filled and educational activities.

The school’s library was the epicenter where the Book Fair was filled with Moms and Dads accompanying their students in search of great books.  Beech Avenue has two Book Fairs each year as a fundraiser for student awards and incentives.  Library Specialist Brittany Sherman said that the students really enjoy the Book Fairs.  “I get really into decorating the library and the more I decorate, the more the students get into it, too.”  This year she invited Airmen from March Air Force Base as guest readers at the event.

Activity areas were set-up around the playground for students to take part in a ball toss (to win a red fish or blue fish, of course), hop to the finish in a sack race, or to make their own Cat in the Hat-inspired chapeau, to name just a few.  The City of Fontana’s Mobile Recreation Unit was on hand to add to the festive atmosphere.  The van’s speakers filled the air with the sounds of Radio Disney, as the face-painting artists decorated little arms and cheeks with brightly colored snakes and glittery butterflies.  Balloonists fashioned fancy lady bug bracelets, heart scepters, and light sabers, and the occasional ‘Pop!’ could be heard to squeals of surprise.

"Beech Avenue Elementary is proud to be a truly, family-friendly school," said Principal Michele Mower.  "Events like this provide families opportunities to interact with the school community in positive and rewarding ways.  A true partnership between the school and home increases the likelihood that students will achieve at high levels."

Read Across America Day is sponsored by the National Education Association and coincides with Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  Born Theodore Geisel, Seuss wrote many books, even some for adults, but is best known for his rhyming sing-song approach to getting children to read.  Inspired by a 1954 Life Magazine story on illiteracy that found children did not read because their books were boring, Geisel used 236 words from his publisher’s list of 348 important words to create “The Cat in the Hat” and a legend was born.

As Seuss would say, “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the thinks you can think up if only you try.”

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