Adult Services Librarian Addison Reese reads books by Dr. Seuss to a room full of children in the Shepherdstown Public Library on Saturday. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Read Across America Week was kicked off in the Eastern Panhandle on Saturday, with a reading of Dr. Seuss books in the Shepherdstown Public Library.

Adult Services Librarian Addison Reese read three books — “My Many Colored Days,” “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut” and “Would You Rather be a Bullfrog” — to a group of 50 families in the Children’s Department. For her, the experience was a nice way to start the week, which is held every year, during the week of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

“Dr. Seuss’ birthday is tomorrow, so I expected the turnout to be as good as it was,” Reese said. “They picked his birthday, because he is so well known — sort of like how they chose George Washington’s birthday for the date of President’s Day.”

According to Youth Services Librarian Jessie Ward, the library has done something Dr. Seuss-themed to commemorate Read Across America Week for years. Last year, the library had a Dr. Seuss character-themed photo booth frame, for visitors to have their picture taken with, along with a bracket for children to choose their favorite Dr. Seuss book. This year, the photo booth frame returned, along with the addition of the storytime.

“Read Across America Week started out in honor of Dr. Seuss, but then it became about reading,” Ward said. “Now, the week is about encouraging kids to read more. We also try to have a focus on really reading across America, by reading stories from different states and things.”

Local schools and other youth organizations will be promoting Read Across America Week over the next few days, through holding special story times and events, like the one done at the library. Through these activities, children are encouraged to become interested in reading, which is critical to their overall education.

“Reading proficiency at every grade level is a goal,” said Read Aloud West Virginia board member Casey Willson, who primarily works to promote literacy in Berkeley County. “The sooner you can get a youngster hooked on reading, the better. It is the most important tool in the toolbox, in my honest opinion. Of course, Read Across America Week also encourages parents and guardians to take part in many events! After all, families raise readers.”

Willson noted that Dr. Seuss, in particular, is one of the best authors to be used to help children fall in love with reading.

“Dr. Seuss introduced a novel, fresh approach to attracting and engaging youngsters in reading – that approach is still valid and excites kids,” Willson said. “Our culture and social communities and mores have changed dramatically since the introduction of Dr. Seuss’ work, but there is a huge body of work from which to select valuable and appropriate stories to engage kids and expand their imaginations.”

Ward completely agreed, noting that this is why Dr. Seuss’ work will continue to be relevant and fun to read, for years to come.

“A lot of his books have important, hidden meanings,” Ward said. “‘The Lorax’ is about helping the environment and anti-logging. ‘The Butter Battle Book’ is about nuclear war.”