February 29, 2012 (Sacramento):  Kids across Sacramento City Unified School District will honor the  birthday of Dr. Seuss on Friday – Read Across America Day – by listening to inspired renditions of the author’s best-loved books, including “The Lorax.”

“Read Across America Day is a great way to bring the community into our classrooms so students can see the joy that adults get from reading,” said SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. “These great reading role models send a strong message that reading is a pleasure and the key to success in life.”

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904, Dr. Seuss published 46 children’s books and inspired generations of young Americans to learn to read. His colorful illustrations and charming (if mischievous) characters fired the imaginations of millions of children – and still do. To honor his legacy, the National Education Association on March 2, 1998, promoted the first “Read Across America Day,” which the group described as a “pep rally for reading.”

This year, guest readers in SCUSD schools include a state legislator, a writer, firefighters, police officers and statewide labor union leaders, including:

• Sacramento Fire Department Chief Ray Jones, SCUSD Board of Education Vice President Jeff Cuneo, and Lt. Marc Coopwood of the Sacramento Police Department’s Canine Unit will be reading in classrooms at Tahoe Elementary School (3110 60th St.) beginning at 9:30 a.m.
• California Teachers Association President Dean Vogel and California Professional Firefighters’ President Lou Paulson will be reading in classrooms at Nicholas Elementary School (6601 Steiner Drive) beginning at 9:45 a.m.
• Assembly Member Roger Dickinson, Urban League of Greater Sacramento President David DeLuz, and Sacramento Police Department Captain Neil Snyder will be reading in classrooms at Mark Hopkins Elementary School (2221 Matson Drive) beginning at 8:30 a.m.
• Children’s author Matthew Gollub will share some of his award-winning books with students at Susan B. Anthony Elementary School (7864 Detroit Blvd.) at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 5.
• Students from Health Professions High School will read to kids at Jedediah Smith Elementary School (401 McClatchy Way) beginning at 9 a.m.
• Sacramento Police Department officers and members of the U.S. Air Force will read to students – who also will be celebrating Pajama Day –at C.B. Wire Elementary School (5100 El Paraiso Ave.) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Miguel Arias will read to students at Ethel I. Baker Elementary School (5717 Laurine Way) at 11 a.m.
• Community members will read to students at Ethel Phillips Elementary School (2930 21st St.). Kids will be wearing bow ties as part of a weeklong literacy celebration.

This year, the release of the “The Lorax,” an animated film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ 1971 book about environmentalism, has been timed to coincide with Read Across America Day. The book teaches students to be active participants in the shaping of the future. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,” Dr. Seuss wrote, “nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”