Seuss-a-Thon

"The more that you READ, the more things you will KNOW.
The more that you LEARN, the more places you'll GO."
— Dr. Seuss

An estimated 1,200 people joined the fun Feb. 28, 2009, at the Seuss-a-thon held in Hedberg Library. The event was sponsored by the Center for Children's Literature, Carthage's student chapter of the Wisconsin Education Association, and A Book for Every Child Foundation.

"There were a ton of kids here, non-stop traffic through the hallway from 10 to 2," said Miranda Szcepanski, '11, Student WEA vice president.

Highlights included "Seussical," a 45-minute musical production staged by a group of music theatre students, and contests to win stuffed animals and Barnes & Noble gift certificates.

Marilyn Ward, professor of education, brought the event to campus a year ago. The annual marathon reading of Dr. Seuss' books had begun at Neverending Story, a now-closed children's book store in Kenosha.

"When it ended, the students kept telling me we should do it," Prof. Ward says. "Now they won't let me quit."

Prof. Ward recalls that "my parents read 'Horton Hatches the Egg' to me when I was a baby. That's my favorite."

During the event, some children borrowed copies of Dr. Seuss books to read for themselves. Prof. Ward brought about 50 copies from her own collection.

"We've got German, we've got Russian, we've got Danish, Polish, Spanish," the professor says of her collection. "When I travel, I buy some in a different language. Everybody grew up with Dr. Seuss."

Two of the readings were given in foreign languages. Jay Schulz, '10, read "Green Eggs and Ham" in Spanish, while John Isham, assistant professor of Great Ideas and modern languages, read "The Cat and the Hat" in Russian.

President Campbell reads to children at the 2009 Seuss-a-thon.

Prof. Ward says the event has raised more than $10,000 in two years at Carthage. The money was raised to provide each baby born in Kenosha with a children's book, but Prof. Ward jokes that "we ran out of babies last year." As a result, some books will also be given to day care providers and community centers. The book to be donated this year is "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.

Drafts on Display

Exhibit featured original work by children's book authors and illustrators.

Tea & Conversation

The center hosted Laura Numeroff, best-selling author of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" series, in September.

Seuss-a-thon

Annual Seuss-a-thon event draws book-lovers of all ages to the Center for Children's Literature.