Dr. Seuss may have only written about Thing 1 and Thing 2 but there were lots of Things running around campuses in the Escalon Unified School District on Friday, March 7.

That was the day set aside for the Read Across America day in the local schools, observing the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Classrooms at Farmington Elementary welcomed in guest readers and saw students spending time in their sleeping bags or with pillow pets, their noses in a book, turning page after page. At Dent Elementary, a steady stream of community volunteers, from parents and grandparents to high school students and businesspeople, came in to share their favorite books.

Van Allen set aside some time in the afternoon to jump into reading, while Collegeville Elementary students did their observance a little earlier, hosting a ‘readathon’ in February.

“My room is Dr. Seuss year-round,” admitted second grade teacher Cassie Gregory of Dent Elementary, a dedicated Seuss fan.

She and her students enjoyed the day in pajamas, Gregory with a colorful birthday hat and the kids welcoming readers including Thing 1 Theresa Adrian, resplendent with blue wig and red shirt, to their classroom. Special birthday fruit and sweet treat skewers were part of the celebration as well.

Students also earned links for their reading chains at Dent and teachers at all schools said the day is a good one to show students that reading is something that can be enjoyed throughout life. Whether for learning or simply for pleasure, educators note, there is always something to be gained by getting into a good book.