The Cat in the Hat visits Bonners Ferry

BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry was graced with the presence of the Cat in the Hat at Super 1 Foods on March 16.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904. His birthday is now nationally recognized as Read Across America Day, which not only encourages kids to read, but reflects on the reasoning behind the creation of his book, “The Cat in a Hat.” The book consists of 236 different words that early learning readers could enjoy and reflect on.

Super 1 Foods has had a display of Dr. Seuss books in the store for a couple of weeks leading up to the Cat in the Hat’s appearance. There were children whose eyes lit with joy at seeing the Cat in the Hat in real life, complete with hugs.

“I loved the experience and the reaction the kids had,” said Super 1 front clerk Sarah Dittmann.

Giesel (Seuss) said he adopted the pen name ‘Dr. Seuss’ because he intended to write a novel and use his real name on it. After graduating from Dartmouth, Geisel (Seuss) briefly studied English literature at Oxford University, eventually becoming a cartoonist. He then went on to receive an honorary doctorate award from Dartmouth in 1955.

Seuss wrote several books in prose, which is a form of poetry that exhibits the natural flow of speech over rhyme. His rhymes coupled with cartoon pictures have been an attraction for children over the years.

Seuss wrote “The Cat in the Hat” with the goal of interesting children to read more. Reportedly, having a push from a publisher encouraged Seuss to write a book that young readers couldn’t put down, encouraging him to write the Cat in the Hat book.

Dr. Seuss actively wrote books from 1927 to 1990, before passing away in September 1991. His legacy continues to live on every year as students and community members nationwide celebrate his birthday in the month of March with reading encouragements and book sales for Read Across America Day, which not only celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday, but the whole month.

In 2009, the Cat in the Hat sold more than 450,000 copies, “Green Eggs and Ham” sold more than 540,000 copies, and “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” sold more than 400,000 copies.

Dr. Seuss has been awarded with two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a Pulitzer Prize throughout the years, and readers of all ages continue to enjoy his books.

Speaking about the experience they had, one local mom talked about how her son had a hard time warming up to the Cat in the Hat.

“Tyler was terrified, but I talked him into taking a picture and told him the Cat in the Hat makes big messes at peoples houses,” said Sylina Crossman.

As the month of March comes to a close, so does the celebration of the works of Dr. Seuss, though his legacy continues to live on.