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Andersen Elementary celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Whispers of excitement echoed the hallways this morning at Andersen Elementary school. The children have been learning about Dr. Seuss all week and capped it off by eating green eggs and ham and celebrating his works during the Dr. Seuss Book Camp March 6. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world by his pen name Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was an American writer and cartoonist most widely known for his children books. He published more than 40 children's books, most notably "Green Eggs and Ham," "The Cat in the Hat," and "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish." 

"Dr. Seuss's birthday was on Monday," said Jacob Dowdell, a third grade teacher at AES. "We have done activities throughout the week, but this event today allows us all to come together and just celebrate at once." 

Students, ranging from pre-K to fourth grade, gathered at an assembly to listen to 36th Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Bud Andree read "Green Eggs and Ham."
"I enjoyed sitting down and reading to the kids," the command chief said. "I think it is important for kids to read; it's the cornerstone of learning." 

Throughout the week, students read Dr. Seuss books while completing worksheets, puzzles and coloring sheets to familiarize themselves with the author. 

The book camp did not stop there. On one side of the auditorium, students watched a Dr. Seuss video as they ate green eggs and ham, and on the opposite side, in a "tent city," students listened to volunteers read various Dr. Seuss books. 

"It's really cool," exclaimed Katie Bahret, a fourth grader. "The camp offers a lot of books, and I love Dr. Seuss." 

Students also sang along to the musical "Seussical the Musical: Green Eggs and Ham" with the help of Thing One and Thing Two and followed up the assembly with singing Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss. 

Numerous adaptations of his works have been created, including 11 television specials, three feature films and a Broadway musical. His honors included two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award and the Pulitzer Prize.