By ALVIN REINER
ELIZABETHTOWN — Elizabethtown-Lewis Elementary School celebrated the legacy of Theodor Geisel on Tuesday with a cornucopia of activities.
The Seussical celebration was part of a nationwide "Read Across America" effort supported by the National Education Association, with First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and members of Congress among those participating.
Born March 2, 1904, in Springfield., Mass., Geisel graduated from Dartmouth and then attended Oxford with the intention of acquiring a doctorate in literature.
Though the advanced degree was not obtained, the appellation was included, along with his mother's maiden name, when he started writing under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss.
Although many of Seuss's books are considered nonsensical, there is often a message.
"The Lorax" has an environmental theme as it tackles over-consumption, and the "Butter Battle Book" advances anti-war thoughts. The latter is the antithesis of Geisel's cartoons preceding World War II, in which he lambasted the isolationist policies and advocated U.S. intervention against Germany and later Japan.
Activities at ELCS included a fifth-grade readers' theater production of "Daisy-Head Mayzie," making Cat in the Hat attire, decorating Sneeches star cookies, an oobleck interaction after hearing about Bartholomew's adventures with the substance, as well as artistic and literary interpretations of the pseudo-doctor's vast bibliography.
The day's festivities culminated with each class participating in a version of "Seussical the Musical," coordinated by guidance counselor Gigi Carroll.
Seussical regalia was evident on teachers, administration, staff members and, of course, the children.
Administrative assistant Lori Cutting applied her confectionary skills by baking cookies for the entire Elementary School.
Reading teacher Courtney Aloi, who coordinated the efforts, said the idea was to present a diversion from the structured reading curriculum.
"Students often forget that reading can and should be enjoyable. Dr. Seuss books are a wonderful way of doing this."
Superintendent Gail Else said they were "celebrating reading and Dr. Seuss and his fine books. The kids seemed to be mesmerized by the activities and are having a ball."
E-mail Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com
