The Southern Yankee – Sue Ellen Ross

Yesterday was the 100th birthday of beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss. Children, and adults alike, are celebrating this week in his honor by hosting parties and events all across the country. In fact, the annual celebration is officially called, Reading Across America.

My two grandsons and I used to have our own Reading Dr. Seuss at Gramma’s event when they came to spend the weekends.

Danny was about 7-years-old, and Mark was 5 ½-years-old, when they both showed an avid interest in reading. At just about that same time, I received a promotional packet in the mail, inviting me to join the Dr. Seuss Book Club. I would receive two books a month for a specified amount per book.

I am not usually one of those people that join mail-order clubs, but this sounded like a good deal to me. I only wanted one book a month, but I had no choice. The club insisted that two books a month was the only way to go. That was OK, because I knew how much the hardcover books cost at the bookstore and I was getting a bargain.

As a career Gramma, I wasn’t able to spend a lot of time with the boys, and wanted a focus to the quality time we spent together, so this book club was going to be it.

As the books began to arrive, I was pleasantly surprised. Since I didn’t know what to expect, I thought I would have to read them all myself and translate to the kids. As anyone who has read Dr. Seuss books knows, his unique stories have many messages, but you must decode them from the silly words he uses. But, it’s all in the fun of reading and learning, so I was prepared.

Well, by some strange miracle, each of those two books was geared especially for my boys. I didn’t know when I ordered them, but one was designated ‘early-beginner’ reader, and the other, ‘regular beginner’ reader. This was perfect, now they could each decipher their own book.

Whenever the monthly package arrived, I immediately called the kids and made a weekend appointment with them for overnight at my house. They each got their new book, signed their name and date inside the front cover, and we read them as bedtime stories.

They always questioned the name and date thing, but I told them this would be an important reference when they grew up and gave the books to their own children. Of course, they laughed at this.

We belonged to the book club for almost 16 months All told, we have about 30 of the Dr. Seuss books. My understanding is that he wrote 54. That leaves 24 of his books not yet shelved on my bookcase.

My remaining grandchildren are 6-months- and 5-years-old. The baby has a long way to go before he starts reading, but little Sydney is starting school soon and maybe I can interest her in the book club. If she goes for it, we can acquire the remaining books we need and my plan goes into action.

If all goes according to plan, baby Brian will have the entire collection of Dr. Seuss stories before he starts school. And just maybe, Gramma Sue can host the Dr. Seuss party for his class. I will make green eggs and ham cookies, bring the Pin the Hat on the Cat game, and relate the story of how I put together the entire collection of Dr. Seuss books.