Dr. Seuss is a name that millions of children instantly recognize -- mainly because of the more than 60 children's books penned by this acclaimed author.
Seuss' playful use of word choice, color, and repetition earned him the likely envied title as the greatest children's writer of all time and, to commemorate his life, libraries and schools around the world celebrate his birthday, March 2.
However, leap year in 2024 pushed Seuss' birthday to a Saturday and though libraries and other literacy-minded centers around the nation will conduct parties for the long-deceased author, schools are effectively out of session.
However, that didn't stop Mountain View Core Knowledge School's preschool teacher, Pam Caprio, and local children's author, Kathy Kennedy, from showering local children with literary delight.
On Thursday, Kennedy was on tap to present two of her personal children's books to the excited preschool class -- but she wasn't alone. Along with her came Norman, a white leghorn rooster, and Andy, a wonderfully stumpy Corgi. The children were particularly delighted to discover that they were stuffed animals and, therefore, could readily be handled and loved without issue.
However, before she began reading, Kennedy had one more thing to do -- she had to don the appropriate attire.
In addition to a white chef's hat, she grabbed a pair of fluffy pink slippers and asked the children, "When do you wear slippers?"
When the emphatic reply of, "Nighttime!" echoed through the gathered children, Kennedy began reading her first book, 'Coyotes in the Kitchen'.
Although 'Coyotes' was published in 2019, Kennedy received the inspiration for the book in 1998 when surrounded by nothing other than children bustling on a playground.
"Kids are so natural, they are just total energy -- I love that part of children," she said with a smile between readings. "[Years ago] I was outside with them and they were pretending that they were with coyotes in their kitchen."
The children were in for a two-for-one special as Kennedy also presented another book, 'Norman Attacks'. She grabbed the white leghorn rooster at her side and held him close as she read about courage and bravery to the silent children.
When asked why she volunteered her time to spend with preschool students, her reply was heart-warming.
"Kids are just imaginative, they're in this constant creative space," Kennedy said. "Kids inspire my stories because they are just so uninhibited."
Kennedy has a long history of advocating for children and has spent time as a nanny, substitute teacher, and family resource manager, and, most recently, is contracted with the school district as a project coordinator alongside ECHO & Family Center Early Childhood Council.
Together, she and Caprio brought just a little bit of literary magic to the children at MVCKS and hope to instill a love of reading for lifetimes to come.
To find out more about Kennedy's books, visit https://writewithlightpublications.com/our-authors/kathleen-s-kennedy/.
For those interested in celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday, the Cañon City Public Library is hosting a grand Birthday Celebration at 3 p.m. Friday.
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