Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion The kindergarteners in Lynne Dawson's class listened intently to Dan Grimes, deputy chief for the Central Emergency Services, read three stories for Love of Reading Month Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska.

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion The kindergarteners in Lynne Dawson's class listened intently to Dan Grimes, deputy chief for the Central Emergency Services, read three stories for Love of Reading Month Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska.

Supplemental material: Dr. Seuss encourages Redoubt students to read

  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Sunday, March 6, 2016 8:05pm
  • News

For some students, some days it may seem like all reading is mandatory. Books are for good for learning, studying, memorizing and analyzing.

Well, Sharon Hale says that is a common misconception. With her troop of Redoubt Elementary School staff behind her, all donning floppy, tall red-and-white-striped hats, on Wednesday, March 2, Hale marched through the hallways with a tangle of red and black balloons hoping to correct the rumors.

“It’s a little madness,” Hale said heading through the school, putting the last party decorations in place. “That is what I do, I cause a little madness in the school all year long. It’s fun.”

Her face was coated in white paint, and her tail trailed and bounced behind her. Students stopped in the middle of their treks to class to ask her about the occasion. There are a few, she explained. It was the beginning of Love of Reading Month, and the National Education Association’s Read Across American Day, the date of which has been scheduled to fall on Theodor Seuss Geisel’s, or Dr. Seuss’s, birthday.

Which, was ultimately why Hale was turning heads as the Cat in the Hat that morning. She has organized an onsite celebration to honor the world-renowned author every year for almost two decades.

Armed with some pretty good materials, she sets out to remind students reading is also fun.

“If they find something they like, they are much more likely to read,” said Dan Grimes, Central Emergency Services Deputy Chief. “To me, that is what it’s about.”

Grimes volunteered to read a few titles to Lynne Dawson’s kindergarteners Wednesday. He started with “There’s a Wocket in my Pocket,” which is not an easy way to warm up. He paused between passages to tell the kids tidbits of Dr. Seuss trivia, like the fact that the author was published under a few different pen names. Grimes also read stories that were not written by Dr. Seuss including the ever-inquisitive Curious George, which kindergartener Spruce Baxter said is one of her favorite books. Grime was invited, along with a group of community figures to pay a visit the school’s classrooms for Love of Reading Month.

“Reading is such a fundamental aspect of education,” Grimes said.

Dawson said it is good for her class to see other people read beside herself. Students who have strong reading skills can even influence their peers, she said.

“It helps them want to do it themselves,” Dawson said.

Her student Hayden Howard said he likes to read Dr. Seuss because of the intricate rhymes and rhythms hidden in the prose. He said it makes reading a little more interesting that way.

He added his favorite Dr. Seuss book is “Green Eggs and Ham,” which he has at home. Howard likes the ending because Sam, who spoke so adamantly against the green eggs and ham throughout the story, ends up trying the dish and liking it. Howard added he could never try the same cuisine however, because he is allergic to eggs.

The school has other programs aimed at encouraging a sense of enjoyment in reading.

Redoubt teacher Bobbie Baldwin said the older grade levels read an entire chapter book during Love of Reading Month. The student picks a title of their choice, she said.

So much can be gleaned from completing an entire book, Baldwin said. It expands vocabulary and fluency and the reader can gain life experience through another person or character’s story, she said.

“It gives students a choice to find a book they will enjoy, and helps them to want to continue to read,” Baldwin said. “Reading curriculum is set, but this gives them choices.”

 

Reach Kelly Sullivan at kelly.sullivan@peninsulaclarion.com.

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion (Left) Sharon Hale gets some help untangling strings of balloons she brought to celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska.

Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion (Left) Sharon Hale gets some help untangling strings of balloons she brought to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska.

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read