He meant what he said, and he said what he meant: Reading’s important, 100 percent. (With apologies to “Dr. Seuss”.)
What author Theodor Seuss Geisel proved in the course of a career that spanned much of the 20th century is that reading is a lot of fun. Geisel (Dr. Seuss) published 47 books, most of them for children, and most of them illustrated with his now iconic whacky cartoon figures.
And that message is what the nonprofit group, the Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries, wants to stress by partnering with the Dockside Bookshop in Havensite Mall to present a special program in honor of “Read Across America Day.”
Celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2, each year, Read Across America Day began in 1998 by the National Education Association. Geisel was born in 1904.
The event at Dockside will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday and include storytellers, prizes and a variety of activities. Several Dr. Seuss books will be featured, including “The Lorax,” which has been made into a movie to be released in March.
While much of the program is geared especially to children, Dockside owner Jonathan Gjessing said there should be fun for adult readers too. The store is packed with fiction and nonfiction for all ages, and what you don’t see, you can order.
Opened in 1978, Dockside is currently the only independently owned bookstore, or “indie,” on the island. It has been supportive of the Friends’ group, providing gift certificates for its summer reading program and offering space for a book club.
