BRANSON, MISSOURI. On Friday, March 5, all three Boys & Girls Club locations celebrated Dr. Seuss Day with games, bounce houses, cake and plenty of families reading together. Formally known as Read Across America, this observation of the 106th anniversary of Samuel Geisel's (Dr. Seuss) birthday is an event promoted by the National Education Association (NEA) and celebrated by more than 45 million readers, young and old, across the country. In Taney and Stone Counties, the Boys & Girls Clubs use the annual event as a chance to encourage parents and other adults to take time to read to or with youth at its locations.

Said Autumn Page, Executive Director, "A love of reading starts early and can be best passed down from parent to child. For me, it started with Maurice Sendak's ‘Where the Wild Things Are,' and now my son loves for me to read it to him at bedtime. For the Clubs, having huge parties for Dr. Seuss Day is essentially about allowing families to create those kind of special memories together and encourage them to continue reading together at home." More than 60 adult family members and volunteers spent time at the Club's after-school programs to read and play alongside children. After taking time to read with an adult, Club members and their special guests were treated to Seuss-themed games and crafts at the Reeds Spring Club, dined on Green Eggs and Ham for dinner at the Forsyth location and were treated to a romp in bounce houses provided by Monkey Moe's at the Branson Club.

The ultimate goal of the nationwide event was to show America's children the joy of reading. To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, the Boys & Girls Clubs once again joined the NEA and many of America's leading literacy, youth, and civic groups in bringing together a nation of readers under one hat - the red and white stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat - for a flurry (or furry) of reading excitement!

In photos: Marge Hoenie, Branson Club staff (as the Cat in the Hat); families reading together at the Branson Club