Celebrate Reading with Cats Wearing Hats for Dr. Seuss’s Read Across America Day!
Cats, hats, books, reading, and Dr. Seuss – it truly doesn’t get much better and that’s why today is one of my favorite days! Click image to enlarge.
When it comes to me and my life, a cat on my lap will more than suffice.
A cat on my lap with a good book to read, I can tell you honestly that’s all I really need.
A cat on my lap for me to pet, I really would be absolutely set!
Perhaps a cup of espresso too, if you wouldn’t mind, thank you.
And while you’re at it, if it’s not too much trouble, could you rush it and make it a double?
That’s all for now, my leg is asleep, the cat won’t move and I don’t dare make a peep…
Today is Read Across America Day, a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. I can’t imagine there’s anyone who doesn’t know who Dr. Seuss is in one form or another. His books like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham have weathered the tides of time with children and adults alike and many have been turned into wildly popular movies like Horton Hears a Who and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
I grew up on his books and so did my boys and that’s why I love this day so much – it’s a fantastic way of bringing our youth together and I applaud all the thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers that will be participating across the country with special reading events.
I know firsthand the joy of sharing books with our youth. This is me reading from my book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey with my step-daughter Crystal’s 3rd grade class. They LOVED the experience and so did I!
My first introduction to Dr. Seuss was the Cat in the Hat book and as someone who was an avid reader at a very young age as well as a cat lover, you can well imagine I was captivated from the first meow. I was also a terribly shy girl, so reading about the bold actions of Thing 1 and Thing 2 as they unleashed a campaign of naughtiness in Dick and Sally’s house, well, I was just beside myself living through their eyes! Cats, rhymes, fun, and more!
What a wonderful opportunity to share the joys of reading with children – a good book can bring you knowledge, or adventure, or facts, or fiction or so much more. And not just Dr. Seuss books, but any books. Reading is integral to enriching our minds – finding the time to read beyond Facebook updates, Twitter tweets, and Instagram hashtags is so important and instilling that passion at a young age is critical.
I shudder to think that books could become obsolete – I pray that doesn’t happen, as I can’t imagine a life without them. I’ve grudgingly made peace with the fact books can now be read in digital format, but I’ve yet to jump on that bandwagon and don’t have a reading device yet. All my reads are physical books that I can read comfortably with my cats by my side!
All of my reading takes place in a spot as comfortable as possible and I’m always surrounded by one, two, three or more of my cats!
I’m grateful for all the books that have stayed in my heart throughout my life and I’m grateful to have found the courage to write and publish my own books – knowing The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary and Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond have brought joy and comfort to readers fills my heart with pride.
Writing is almost like giving birth when you are an author – my two self-published babies!
I’m thrilled also to finally be on the path to writing book number three! But enough of that – on to some true Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat fun! To follow are pictures of my cats wearing hats – I somehow imagined if they were people, this would be the kind of hat they would want to wear. Which is your favorite picture? Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book or reading memory?
Since Jazmine was found in a barn and is the ultimate diva princess, somehow a pink cowgirl hat with a rhinestone tiara seemed fitting!
Lovely Mia is a true girly-girl and wears a hat embellished with feminine flowers and feathers. I imagine she is on her way to a high-society party for some catnip tea and tuna crumpets…
I envision Rolz to be the ultimate playboy bachelor and that’s why I put him in a sportster cap. Swoon now lady cats…
Peanut is a tomboy and likes to wear her baseball cap to the side!
Oh Zee… such the charmer! While he doesn’t like to leave the couch much, when he does go out for a night on the town, he does it with class and style in his top hat!
Um… you’re kidding me, right? You didn’t think Zoey would actually be caught wearing a hat? She is the Queen after all, so nothing less than a crown is suitable for her…
Oh Kizmet… you darling boy. No surprise here… We love the boy dearly, but he does march to his own drummer…
While now at the great Rainbow Bridge above, I can’t leave my darling angels, Mr. Jazz and Harley, out of the fun. They remain forever in my heart and are such a significant part of my reading and writing memories.
My handsome angel, Mr. Jazz, was always such a dignified cat. A simple bowler hat is perfect for him.
My angel Harley was never one prone to fashion or trends so she shyly displays a simple but stunning 40’s inspired flapper hat.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures – on another reading note, I’m excited to say that several authors representing the Cat Writers’ Association made the Wall Street Journal in an article entitled In the World of Cat Fiction, Fur Flies Over Whether Stars Get Speaking Roles. I didn’t get my name in lights, but my picture, along with that of Janiss Garza of SparkleCat and CWA president, Mary-Marci Kladnik made the cut!
Appropriately for Read Across America Day, concats to Sue W. – who won a copy of Tortitude – The BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude from our review and giveaway!
Myself, Mary-Marci Kladnik, and Janiss Garza at the 2015 BlogPaws Conference in conjunction with the Cat Writers’Association. Photo credit: LEA-ANN GERMINDER/CWA
This post was updated from a previous publication to reflect current events.
Happy Dr. Seuss Day! Love your picture of Rolz. What a playboy indeed 🙂
Oh what wonderful photos of your cats in hats and a crown of course. Love your poem, sounds like home to me. I loved and my son did too is Cat in the Hat. He was that for a few Halloweens! Next was Green Eggs and Ham, till we tried it one St. Paddy’s day and all the green got to him!
I would love to finally have your book! I keep thinking, next month I`ll be able to buy it, and then next month etc. So I hope this is my month!!
Happy Birthday to the Seuss dude! Hey, I am THE cat in the hat ya know!
Happy Dr Seuss Day!! We love the picture of Peanut :))
What terrific pictures of all the kitties in their hats. Everyone looks just great. Happy Dr. Seuss day to all of you.
Happy Dr Seuss Day!! I love Zee’s hat.. very dapper!
it’s a toss up between The Cat in the Hat , and Green Eggs and Ham. . .Dr. Seuss was a huge favorite as a child. I continue to read lots today — mainly scripture, cat books of all kinds and weather books. . . gorgeous piccies!! <3
PS. Vegeta’s Mommy from SMC. . . <3
My son loves Mr Brown Can Moo!
LOVE all the hat pics, yours included! Our fav is the stylin’ Mr. Zee. Our Mom has always loved to read and reads to us now. No kids here just us 6 cats – all adult rescues. WE’RE Mom’s kids! Can see all of us on my page Shiner B Cougarcat.
Purrs,
Shiner, Phoenix, Ghost, Blues, LeeLu, Foxy and of course Mom
Uh oh… now Waffles wants a hat just like Kizmet’s! ; ) Silly boys will be silly boys!
; ) GG
Not surprisingly, GG, when I put that hat on Kizmet, I instantly thought of Waffles… He and Kizmet are two off-center peas in a pod!
Happy Dr Seuss Day. My kid’s loved his books when they were little. And my grandkids did too. Your cats in hats are so cute. Thanks for the giveaway.
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
We love all the Cats in their Hats! Happy Dr. Seuss Day!!
LOVE this post and all the hats. Don’t enter us since we already have your fab book.
I like Peanut and Zoey’s style. I’m wearing my hat on my blog today. We love your book and would like one for TW to give her BFF for her birthday this year. Happy Dr. Seuss Day. BTW, Gramma grew up on Mulberry Street in NYC.
I grew up loving all the Dr Seuss books, but especially The Cat in Hat! I also read them to my kids and now to my grandkids. They are timeless fun. I’ve been wanting to get your book to share with my granddaughter, Miah, who is mad about animals like me. =oo=
HAPPY HAPPY DR.SEUSS DAY!! Your cats are the BEST looking “cats in hats” ever!
Great Hats!
Great Cats!
Great Mommy
She sure is Funny!!
Kisses
Nellie
Great hats! Happy Dr. Seuss Day!
Allie simply ADORES Mia’s hat. It’s totally her thing, as a girly-girl herself!
(And we believe we owe Peanut an apology, cuz recently we think we said HE and not SHE. We three are sooo sorry! We totally blame MOMMY.)
What we did *not* know was that National Dr. Seuss Day was actually, officially known as National read Across America Day. And in honor of that, we will now go sit in mommy’s lap while she indulges in her very most favorite pastime: reading.
Happy Dr. Seuss Day! You all look good in your hats, but Zee looks very dapper in his top hat.