Making reading and books fun to a digital generation is a challenge that Redoubt Elementary School and the nationwide Read Across America program do every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Born 111 years ago Dr. Seuss’s birthday has been chosen for the annual Read Across America as a legacy event in his honor. Theodor Seuss Geisel passed away in 1991 and was an American writer and cartoonist. He was most widely known for his children’s books, which he wrote and illustrated under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss. “I think the appeal is a lot about the rhyme, it makes the reading fun. His imagination went that way and he even made up words so they would rhyme,” says Sharon Hale otherwise known as Thing 2 who has organized the event at Redoubt Elementary for the last decade.
At the 6th grade classroom of Kristin Arthur the students created their own story led by an impromptu community member who wanted to teach the kids to use their imagination, “Reading is supposed to be fun, but it can be sad and happy and entertaining. That’s what today and our reading classes are all about here at Redoubt Elementary,” said Arthur. 6th grader Nevaeh Bunch (Heaven spelled backwards), said, “My parents were imaginative too. The best part of 6th grade is you get to learn and read,” she said. “Our story had a zombie that turned out to be a beautiful princess, not scary at all. Like a bully when you’re not afraid might turn out to be a friendly kid,” said Tim. Other community members who came in to read at Redoubt CES firemen and Alaska State Trooper Larry Erickson. “It’s important for the kids to see how important reading is to a wide variety of our community leaders. It’s very effective and we appreciate them coming in and sharing their time with our students,” said Hale.
