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America celebrated the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, on Thursday with events which were part of the Read Across America Day initiative.

“Dr. Seuss’s birthday kicks off Reading Across America,” Gloria Moorer Johnson told her students at the Sav-A-Child Outreach Center. “We here at the Center, and thousands of schools, libraries, and other community centers, bring books for students of all ages in an effort to promote the love of reading. The teachers here at Sav-A-Child have a book for each child to encourage you to read.”

Johnson challenged students to spend 10 minutes a day reading and to send her a text message when finished reading to a parent.

“The child who reads the most will receive an award,” Johnson said. “Research says children who read at least 10 minutes per night are better readers. Their comprehension level goes up.

Johnson then introduced guest speaker, Ann Steiner Gregory, probate judge of Butler County.

“Judge Gregory will read to you the book of her choice,” Johnson said. “We will have other community leaders in for the remainder of the month with Read Across America. We want to see marked improvement in your reading, because reading has great benefits. It’s something that you will use throughout your lifetime.”

Gregory then stepped up to the table and chose a book.

“I’ve never read this one,” Gregory told the children. She picked up, “There’s a Map on My Lap”, and began reading.

“All the children sat quietly and listened,” said Johnson.

Gregory asked questions as she read, and the children raised their hands to answer.

Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA. He was the author of over 60 children’s books.

Sav-A-Child Community Center is located at 118 Bolling St. in Greenville. For more information call (334) 368-1126, or find them on Facebook at Sav-A-Child Outreach Center.