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| Library honors cherished author |
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| News | |||
| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:00 | |||
Becky Bowes had a dilemma on her hands.  Programming assistant Karen Stuart of the Louisburg Library had called her a couple weeks ago, and asked if she would read her favorite Dr. Seuss book to a gathering of children March 2, during their annual celebration of the famed author’s birthday. The question wasn’t whether or not she would do it, Bowes said. She agreed to participate almost instantly. The challenge was trying to find just one of his books to read. “Like I told the kids, I just couldn’t pick one favorite,” said Bowes, principal of Rockville Elementary School. Her problem is one that has been commonly found in households, schools and libraries for more than 70 years, since Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel began devoting his considerable artistic and linguistic talents to the creation of children’s literature in the 1930s. Since then, millions of his most popular works have been enjoyed by children across the globe – including “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Sixteen of Geisel’s 60 works are among the top 100 best-selling children’s books of all-time. Since his death in 1991, classrooms and libraries throughout the United States have hosted events to honor his birthday. The Louisburg Library is, of course, one such institution, and on March 2, 73 children and their parents packed the library’s reading room to hear readings of Dr. Seuss books and enjoy a few tasty treats. Since she took over management of some of the library’s annual events, Stuart has brought her own personal touch to things. By inviting guest readers like Bowes to partake of the fun, and giving the attendees the option to decorate their own cupcakes, she wanted to give the Dr. Seuss event more of an interactive feel. The celebration is always well-attended, Stuart said, a testament to the long-term success of the books. Stuart felt one of the primary reasons for that longevity is the pleasing and easy-to-follow rhyme scheme Geisel employs. Bowes agreed. “We really believe that rhyming is just a pre-requisite,” she said. “It’s one of the first reading skills to develop, and so much of his (writing) is rhyming over and over. I think that’s why it’s held on.” Though the celebration is targeted toward children, Stuart noted, the reality is Dr. Seuss books are fun for people of all ages. “For the adults the appeal is still there,” she explained. “We loved them as kids so they have that nostalgia feel. The artwork is wonderful, and it just gets your imagination going. I think they’re just really captivating.”
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