It was a great day to be a cat.
Cat in the Hat with the Lorax
I had been looking forward to playing the Cat in the Hat ever since I played him last year! Last year the PTA had celebrated Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s birthday in a big way. They had received a grant from Lowe’s to help upgrade the school library and to bring new books to the classrooms. As part of that celebration, they also brought in about 20 special guests to read to the classes. While we didn’t have a grant with lots of money to spend this year we knew we wanted to bring back the guest readers and I knew I wanted to be The Cat again!
2016 Special Guest Readers
Last year I had delivered books to the classrooms with the help of Thing One and Thing Two. This year I would be one of the guest readers! We miss you Thing One.
2015 The Cat in the Hat with Thing 2 and Thing 1 in the classroom presenting books
They had readers from all walks of life, the idea being that no matter what you want to be when you grow up you need to know how to read! As The Cat, I got to read to Kindergartners and 1st graders. Justin read excerpts from his own book as he did last year. This year Justin’s Mom was one of the readers and Jenna even read to some 3rd graders and some SDC students. They also brought in a head chef from one of our local restaurants, a realtor, a Politician, an attorney, a photographer, a studio artist, a doctor of chiropractic, a retired police office and business owner and many others. One of the return speakers was a graduate of Santiago who is a newspaper reporter. He spoke to one of the upper grade journalism classes and they loved him! There were also 2 (huge) football players.
I originally planned to read The Cat in the Hat since I knew I was reading to Kinders and 1st graders and I was dressed for the part. I had gotten to thinking on my way to Jenna’s that morning. Justin was reading his book to the students so maybe I should read my book to them. I’ve told this story before but when Amara was very little our kitten Twursula was lost for 2 weeks. As she grew older, I used to tell Amara the Twursula story at bedtime. At some point I thought I should turn it into a book for her through Shutterfly so I had. When I got to their house that morning I asked Amara if she knew where the book was and she did!
Cat-in-the-Hat with the Scholars
Cat-in-the-Hat getting a group hug
For me the fun lasted all day! I stood near the gates as the students arrived and had a blast having my picture taken with them. Same thing happened at dismissal. Cell phone cameras really do come in handy! I was having so much fun. I got so many great hugs!
Cat-in-the-Hat with Amara and friends
I wrapped up my day as the Cat at the Book Fair at Barnes & Noble that evening. By then this Cat was exhausted and really needed a catnap!
The Cat in the Hat and Amara at the Book Fair
It was a great day to be a Cat!
UPDATE: Pamela from Grandma Honey’s House wanted to share her grandsons being the Cat in the Hat but WordPress is being difficult and won’t let me add them to the comments but they are so cute I had to share them. 
Fantastic!!!
It’s not Cat In the Hat, but everyone should know the story about the little boy that recognized you as the Book Fairy when you were not in costume and said the day you came to his class was the best day ever!
It actually was one of the Kindergartners and it was about the Cat in the Hat last year. The PTA already loved the idea of me being the Cat again but his remarks sure didn’t hurt! I love it when one of the little ones calls me The Cat or asks me if i’m the Book Fair-ie. I get to do that again in May! Little kids are the best!
This is wonderful! I know how students admire adult volunteers and want to be like them. I think you’re making reading into a very popular subject at that school! Everything they do there – and its one creative thing after he next! – encourages kids to be the best they can be! You deserve those hugs – and leg-crawl-ups! 🙂
Maybe you can be the Cat next year for Brie’s school!
What an amazing day you had. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – that is one special school that Amara attends, and you should be applauded for your volunteerism. Memories – lady, you are making memories for so many children. Reading is something you take with you through every walk of life as exhibited by the volunteer readers. Even if someone is not terrific at math, there is a calculator on every phone. But, if they can read, they can find an answer. Applause for you, friend. 🙂
Thank you my friend! I do love making memories and they are for me as much as they are for the kids! Someday when I am too old to do all this fun stuff I can just sit back, close my eyes and remember it all!
What a great day for everyone! So glad you can be a part of bringing the joy of reading to kids!
I am very lucky to get to be part of all of this!
So much fun!
What a fun tradition! (Believe it or not, the cruise ship actually had a birthday party onboard for Dr. Suess, complete with cake and characters!)
That is so cool! Hope you post some of those pictures on your blog!
I miss you so much! Cute photos!
Thanks Sophia! The pictures would be even better if all of you were in them. Miss you, too.
I loved reading this post. Dr Suess week was fun around here too. My neighbors are in the school system and were dressed up. My 2 little grandsons in NC were dressed in costume and had so much fun. I was going to attach a picture but don’t see that we can do that here..I’ll send it on Facebook. I bet you have so much fun doing this.
I really do have a blast doing this! Sorry you couldn’t attach a picture but if you do post it to FB or email it to me — I will add it!
Kc, this is a fabulous idea… I think more schools need to do this each year. Children need to know reading is fun and it can take you places… pretty awesome. I am glad you had so much fun being the Cat In The Hat again… xox
I am doing my best to inspire other Grandmas to be the Cat in the Hat for their grandchildren! The hugs you get from little kids is just the best.
I love the Cat In the Hat. How fun, using characters is a great way to get children involved in reading. Looks like everyone is having fun as well as demonstrating the importance of reading.
It was a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to getting to be the Book Fair-ie in May! It does inspire them!
You make a great Cat in the Hat! What a good idea to have readers from all walks of life and many occupations. I’ve written several books for my grandchildren, too. In my former life, I was a Reading Specialist.
The idea of bringing different people from the community to come in and read has inspired the Principal to give serious thought to having a career day, too. I do think the readers got just as much out of the morning as the students did. Reading Specialist — I love it!
You are too sweet!!!!! Thank you for adding my grandson’s pictures but I feel bad that you worked so hard on that. xoxo
Thanks for letting me include them!
Such wonderful ways to impress the love of reading on wee folk. Dr. Seuss would have been proud!
I do think he would be pleased! Some of the little ones asked me if I knew Dr. Seuss and I told them he and The Cat were good friends. I think he would have approved of that answer.
I had to laugh at you getting mobbed by the little ones like a rock star…: )
What a wonderful but yes, tiring day! 🙂
I love having my own little following! Those little kids are just the best!
Thank you for your sweet comment on my post about my grandkids! And it certainly looks like you are having a blast here! Dr. Seuss is awesome!
Being a Grandma really is the best job I’ve ever had and it is always fun reading about other grandparents and the fun they are having. Love your blog!
Oh, you’re back. It’s becoming a tradition of some sort? 🙂
You look amazing.
That is awesome. The kids look cute and I’m sure they had a really fun time!