Imaginations climb at story time

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element
Story by Sgt. Ida Irby

Date: 03.02.2013
Posted: 03.20.2013 12:52
News ID: 103809
Imaginations climb at story time

FORT BLISS, Texas - Greeting small children with smiles and kind words, Meredith McKenzie, director of the children’s programs, prepared a two-hour story time at the Lt. Gen. Stanley R. Mickelsen Library March 2, to honor Theodor Seuss Geisel who wrote under the pen name Dr. Suess.

Dr. Suess’ creativity has made him one of the most popular children’s book authors and cartoonists in America, having published 46 children’s books, before his death on Sept. 24, 1991.

Elementary school aged and younger children sat on brightly colored carpets and beanbag chairs to listen to the book “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think” by Dr. Suess read by McKenzie. She asked them puzzling questions while reading the book which inspired dialogue amongst children about imagination, realism and issues of possibility.

“This book could be realistic,” said Trey Atchinson, a seven-year-old military child, “Some parts are unreal, but that makes [Dr. Suess] a good book writer because he has an imagination.”

According to McKenzie, the characters Dr. Suess created were much different than the things seen in every day life, and this is what helps boost the imagination of young children all over the world.

Following story time, children participated in coloring Dr. Suess character pages and drawing on a large birthday card for Dr. Suess, born on March 2, 1904. The birthday card will decorate the library walls for the month of March.

“Everyone is creative, because we can always think differently about something,” said McKenzie, who encouraged children to spend their weekend creating something silly and out of the ordinary.

Celebrate Dr. Suess with the library this March on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Books are available for checkout or computers can be used for online learning.