Dr. Seuss Day celebrated at Carlsbad Public Library

“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Horton from Horton Hears a Who! is a well-loved book character. I’m sure you’ve read the book or even seen the movie. Dr. Seuss is a beloved author we celebrate each year who wrote more than 60 children’s books.

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904, this date has been designated Read Across America Day and “Dr. Seuss Day” by the National Education Association. It is celebrated nationwide to honor the author’s timeless and uplifting work.

He was a storyteller in the grandest sense of the word. Not only did he tell fantastic tales of far-away places, but he also gave us a unique visual language that carried his stories to new heights of artistic expression. Not only did he write the stories, but he also created all of the artwork as well. This is part of why his work is celebrated even to this day. His work has sold over 600 million copies and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His first children’s book, And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was published in 1937.

He took a brief hiatus from children’s literature during World War II. He worked in the animation and film department of the United States Army. After the war, he returned to writing children’s books. His work has spawned many adaptations, including 11 television specials, five feature films, a Broadway musical, and four television series. He also received awards for his work. Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children’s Special for “Halloween Is Grinch Night” and Outstanding Animated Program for “The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat,” as well as a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation award in 1984.

His books are not only fun, whimsical places to take young readers on an adventure, they also have incredible morals. The Lorax taught us to stand up for what we believe in. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.” In Horton Hears a Who, he taught us that every voice counts, and a person is a person no matter how small. Size does not matter; anyone can have a big impact. The Grinch showed us that love should be in our heart and Christmas means a little bit more than food and presents. Most of his books highlight the fact that someone can make a difference by caring.

To celebrate his books, art, and life the library is having Dr. Seuss Day. Join us from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 at the library.

We will have food, crafts, games, and, of course, live readings of our favorite Dr. Seuss stories. There will be fun for the whole family. Help us share the joy of Dr. Seuss with the next generation. Each year, the Rec Center also plans a grand celebration. Make sure to check their schedule. You won’t want to miss their events. Usually, every day of the week they have different events scheduled. We hope you will come to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his fun whimsical work.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Dr. Seuss Day celebrated at Carlsbad Public Library