Students mark Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday

They donned funny hats and read about mischievous cats.

They gobbled up green fish and blue; they remembered Horton and his Who.

On Tuesday, students joined Marvin K. and Thidwick the moose,

In celebrating the 100th birthday of the great Dr. Seuss.

Along the hallways at Central Middle School are posters featuring a famous black and white cat with a striped top hat. Whimsical letters spell out "You're on your way" next to a biography about a man named Ted Geisel.

Most of the fifth- and sixth-graders at the school don't bat an eye at the name Ted Geisel. It's another name that brings about the memories of childhood rhymes and corresponding grins and giggles: Dr. Seuss.

'All in rhyme'

Students and teachers at the school celebrated Seuss' 100th birthday with something his books are famous for encouraging children to do -- read.

"It's all in rhyme and kids just pick up on that and learn to read," said Debbie Gattis, a fifth-grade teacher at CMS.

In Gattis' class, students spent more than an hour throughout the day reading their choice of books. All students in the school were allowed to wear red and white striped stovetop paper hats for the celebration.

In the school cafeteria, students were served green and blue fish for lunch, in honor of Seuss' book, "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish."

Students who tried the fish sticks sprinkled with blue and green crumbs said they tasted normal, but the coloring was too much for some students.

"It's kind of like green ketchup, I think. You know it probably tastes fine, but it looks nasty," said 11-year-old Nick Hines, who opted for a hamburger instead of the fish.

Eleven-year-old Brynna Downing said her favorite Seuss book is "Hop on Pop," a story about two children who jump on their sleeping father.

"Dr. Seuss books are really funny, and his illustrations are good," said Brynna.

Classmate Mack Jamison, also 11, said his pick is "Green Eggs and Ham."

"I read his books a lot when I was little. I liked the rhymes and how easy it was to read," said Jamison.

Several school employees, including fifth-grade teacher Patti House, dressed up for the occasion.

"Dr. Seuss instilled in me at a young age to read, read, read," said House, who wore a "cat" hat and a red felt bow tie.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128