Librarians Recommend Reading Dr. Seuss on the Author's Birthday

March 2 is the birthday of iconic children's book author Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka "Dr. Seuss." And to honor him, the National Education Association has dubbed today "National Read Across America Day."

Here are two Dr. Seuss books recommended by North Fork librarians:

Lily Dougherty-Johnson, Youth Librarian, Floyd Memorial Library : "Oh, the places you'll go!": The last book by Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the places you'll go!" (Random House, 1990) is a favorite graduation gift because of its inspiring message - that life can be tough, but also exciting, and that you can overcome the challenges that you encounter along the way. Our familiar pajama-clad hero will "soar to high heights" but also "be left in a Lurch." He will "get mixed up with many strange birds" and even though "Un-slumping yourself is not easily done," he'll find "bright places where Boom Bands are playing."  Rollicking rhymes and psychedelic illustrations propel the reader on an uplifting journey where success is "98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed" whether your name is "Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea."  Because, in the end, "There's fun to be done."

Jennifer Blume, Children's Librarian, Shelter Island Public Library: "The Lorax:" The story of the greedy Once-ler, who ignores the Lorax's warnings and chops down all theTruffula trees, causing a local pollution problem. This story in rhyme is an environmental cautionary tale for all ages.  What happened to the Truffla trees and will we head the warnings of the Lorax (between tongue twister)?