The Fair Haven school district recently hosted a Horton the Elephant-sized celebration of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Each year, the March 2 birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a/k/a Dr. Seuss, is remembered throughout the U.S. with the Read Across America program.

In Fair Haven, this year’s event was celebrated from Feb. 27 through March 3; and, students at Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood Schools were treated to a week of tribute to the joy of reading.

That joy was apparent at Sickles School on March 1 during the musical extravaganza dubbed Beauty and the Book.

Music Teacher Vince Mottern provided accompaniment as costumed staff members, transformed into storybook characters such as Belle, The Beast, Mrs. Potts and Gaston, shared a lesson about the importance of reading.

Students in kindergarten through third grade joined in the singing of book-themed songs during the event. They also enjoyed the premiere of the video I Think I Can Read That based on Hand Clap.

The video featured Sickles students and staff members reading and performing to an original song by Vince Mottern.

Read Across America week at Sickles School also featured:

· Red and White Day on Monday in honor of The Cat in the Hat;
· Crazy Hat Day and Tech Tuesday;
· Wacky Wednesday;
· Read a Shirt and Mystery Guest Readers on Thursday;
· Dress As Your Favorite Book Character on Friday.

“We are so proud of our efforts at Sickles School to infuse the arts into different content areas,” Sickles School Principal Cheryl Cuddihy said. “The opportunities to celebrate literacy through performances such as ‘Beauty and the Book’ cultivate a learning environment which celebrates both reading and the arts! “

Students and staff at the fourth- through eighth-grade Knollwood School honored Dr. Seuss with a week of fun-filled themes and activities.

Students kicked off the week on Monday by dressing as their favorite Dr. Seuss character and participating in Stop, Drop, and Read.

Throughout the week, students announced a variety of facts about Dr. Seuss and quotes from their favorite Disney movies.

Additional activities included:

· Curl Up with a Good Book and Wear PJs and Sweats to School on Tuesday;
· Wacky Wednesday and Wear Crazy Socks on Wednesday;
· Dress As Your Favorite Disney Character on Thursday;
· Spirit Day and Wear Blue and White for Knollwood School Pride on Friday.

“Read Across America is one of my favorite weeks of the school year!” Knollwood School Principal Amy Romano said. “It is great to see staff members and students dressed for daily themes and embracing the love of reading!”

Fun fact

The first book that was both written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel was And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. The book was rejected 27 times before being published in 1937.