Celebrating Dr. Seuss with a good book

Dr. Seuss made an appearance at Onslow County and Camp Lejeune schools Monday, in celebration of what would have been Dr. Seuss' 105th birthday.

Area dignitaries - including Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jacksonville Mayor Sammy Phillips and Sheriff Ed Brown - visited the schools with their favorite books in hand to read to elementary students as part of the 12th annual Read Across America.

"The kids always enjoy having someone other than their teacher or librarian read to them," said Silverdale Elementary Media Coordinator Nelle Altman-Boyce.

Read Across America, which is sponsored by the National Education Association, "calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading," according to the NEA Web site.

Among those reading at Silverdale was Ken Reddic, a former Onslow County Schools principal.

"Every chance I get to come out to the schools, I do that," Reddic said.

Reddic visited second grade classrooms with a book he discovered while working for Onslow County Schools: "The Important Book," by Margaret Wise Brown.

"I just think it's a great book to help teachers teach writing," he said. "It's kind of a neat way to do it."

The book tells readers and listeners of what is important about the sun, moon, chair and table. It even reminds them that it's important to "be you."

It is important for parents to read to students, Altman-Boyce said. But with many Onslow County students' parents deployed, Monday's readers were able to fill a void.

"I think it's a very important part, because we're at war, for students to get read to particularly because of that," she said, explaining that not all parents are home to read to their children at night.

Mickayaa H., 8, was one of the students in Reddic's first reading, and an avid reader.

"I like about how you can read and find out information," she said.

Mickayaa enjoyed Reddic's pick because of what "it told us and how the pictures were created," she said.

Christian G., 7, enjoyed hearing a book from a reader other than his teacher or librarian.

"I like books that are different, that we haven't read yet," he said.

No matter the reader, however, Christian likes books.

"I like all kinds of stuff but I like to find out information about animals. I like all kinds of animals," he said.

While Silverdale Elementary readers visited the classrooms and read to students quietly sitting in their seats or on the carpet, Tarawa Terrace II Elementary students had another plan.

Hundreds of students gathered in the cafeteria mid-morning dressed as their favorite characters and carrying their favorite books in honor of their Character Parade, where Dr. Seuss made many appearances through the crowd.

"Our students ... are a very unique class of students," Information Specialist Carol Dula said, explaining each child has a military parent.

Through Read Across America, each student is certain to have a book read to them that day.

"They learn that reading becomes something that helps them become life-long learners," Dula said.

Among those reading at Tarawa Terrace II on Monday were Navy Master Chief Kevin Kesterson and Congressman Walter B. Jones.

Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East, is scheduled to read to children at Johnson Primary School on Tuesday.

"These children have mom and dad who are serving the nation. ... It's my heart telling me it's the least I can do to come down and read to these children," Jones said, after reading "Woodrow the White House Mouse" to students.

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.