One book, two books my books, your books

If you’re an elementary school student you may not know, but reading Dr. Seuss books may help you to grow.

At least that is the philosophy at Saratoga Elementary School (SES) where students and staff celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday Thursday. Dr. Suess’s birthday was March 2.

Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, wrote more than 60 children’s books and sold 220 million copies in 15 different languages making him one of the most well-known children’s book authors in history.

SES staff and students celebrated work by Dr. Seuss with snacks inspired by the book “One Fish Two Fish”, reading Dr. Seuss books and a special appearance from SES Principal Dave Rangitsch dressed as the Cat in the Hat.

But celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday is more than just fun and games, Rangitsch said.

“Dr. Seuss is for little kids, but he leaves a message at the end of his books that can be reached by any level of reader,” Rangitsch said. Sometimes, elementary students need a little help understanding that message.

After first graders finished their Swedish Fish swimming in blue Jell-O during a reading of “The Cat in the Hat,” Rangitsch explained what the message was. The message of “Cat in the Hat” was to always clean up after yourself, Rangitsch told the first graders.

“They read the book, but aren’t necessarily getting the depth of what its saying,” Rangitsch said.

“That’s what we try to do for them.”

Other messages Rangitsch helped children understand Wednesday could be found in quotes from the book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”.

“‘You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes you can steer yourself anywhere you choose,’” Rangitsch recited from memory.

“As an elementary kid, you would wonder ‘what does that actually mean,” Rangitsch said.

The message is that a person can do anything if they set their minds to it, Rangitsch said.

Dr. Seuss books are helpful for children to read because they are fun.

“It’s the rhyming words,” he said. “It’s easy.”

SES has always done something to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s work, Rangitsch said.

Two years ago, staff and students acted out scenes from “Cat in the Hat. This year was not as elaborate as previous years, but still celebrated literacy,” Rangitsch said.

“We encourage literacy throughout our school and we have done that for years,” he said.