Dozens of children from Robinson Elementary and area day cares poured into Dawson County Library last Thursday for Read Across America Day.

The event is aimed at encouraging reading amongst younger children and hosts numerous activities set around Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and his March 2 birthday.

Bonnie Kinsey, an event volunteer with Dawson County Woman's Club, thinks it is a fun learning experience for the kids.

"It gets them more excited about reading," said Kinsey. "It encourages literacy."

Upon entering the library the children were read a Dr. Seuss story. Then they colored paper mustaches and ate birthday.

"They love the library," said woman's club volunteer Sylvia Lacagnein. "They learned about getting their own library card and that it's free. One little girl asked how much it cost to get a library card. One boy thought it cost thousands of dollars. So we got to tell them it was free."

Stacey Leonhardt, Dawson County Library branch manager, dressed up as famed Seuss character "The Cat in the Hat."

The students and children flocked to her wanting to ask questions and play with her hat.

"[‘The Cat in the Hat' and Dr. Seuss] may be nonsensical, but kids love them. They can remember them because of the rhyming," Lacagnein said. "I used to read these books to my kids and they are now in their 40s."

Sponsored by the National Education Association, Read Across America Day is a nationwide event celebrating its 15th year. Dr. Seuss's legacy, one which began with publishing cartoons in publications like "The Saturday Evening Post," traces back to his first book penned in 1937.

"I love to read and I think it's great whatever you do to encourage the children to read," Lacagnein said.

For more information, visit www.chestateelibrary.org or www.nea.org.