MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE, BARSTOW, Calif. — To coincide with the country-wide celebration and the author’s birthday, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow held the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash at McTureous Hall, March 2, for children of the base Child Development Center.
The event was held to teach kids the importance of reading as volunteers for the event showed the children different ways to make reading more entertaining. “I think it’s a really good way to show kids that reading can be fun,” explained Julie Bramman, the librarian on base.
“Not only does it help with that but it also shows the kids what the library here has to offer.”
During the birthday bash, children of the CDC were able to participate in numerous activities, all having to do with one of Dr. Seuss’s books or characters. Some activities took well known children’s games and added a twist to them to incorporate Dr. Seuss, like “Cat-Cat-Hat,” a variant of “duck-duck-goose.”
“The activities we had for the kids demonstrated different parts of Dr. Seuss’s books,” Bramman said. “Some kids like the artwork featured in his books so we had stations set up for the children to color some of the characters found in his books like “The Cat in the Hat” or “The Lorax.” Others like the rhymes he used so we had the kids participate in games where they have to rhyme with a word said.”
Marines aboard MCLB Barstow supported the event by volunteering to oversee the activities. Some of the Marines have kids of their own who celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
“My daughter Maya and I went to an event at her school out in town [the night before] and they had some of his books read to them,” said Sgt. Brian Gonzalez, the career retention specialist aboard base and a volunteer at the birthday bash. “I try to read to her every night, so I think the day is a really good idea,” he added.
The birthday bash was a success in showing the children the eclectic repertoire Dr. Seuss’s characters and books have.
Although his books have been deemed “old school” by some, many continue to stress the importance of them. “I know they’re getting old but they’re classic; the books are timeless. I think kids should be learning from these kinds of books,” explained Gonzalez. “They definitely help make reading fun too,” he concluded.