Celebrate Reading with Cats Wearing Hats for Dr. Seuss’s Read Across America Day!

Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day is a great way to teach children about the joys of reading.

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.

Reading to children can bring them so much joy and enrichment

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!

Getting cozy and reading a book with your cats at your side can be peaceful and relaxing

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.

Books by Deborah Barnes for cat lovers - The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey and Purr Prints of the Heart

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?

Jazmine the ginger cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

Since Jazmine was found in a barn and is the ultimate diva princess, somehow a pink cowgirl hat with a rhinestone tiara seemed fitting!

Mia the cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

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…

Rolz the cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

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 the cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

Peanut is a tomboy and likes to wear her baseball cap to the side!

Zee the Maine Coon from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

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!

Zoey the Bengal from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

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…

Kizmet the rescue cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

Oh Kizmet… you darling boy. No surprise here… We love the boy dearly, but he does march to his own drummer…

hearts

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.

Mr. Jazz the cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

My handsome angel, Mr. Jazz, was always such a dignified cat. A simple bowler hat is perfect for him.

Harley the rescue cat from Zee & Zoey's Cat Chronicles wears a hat for Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day!

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 RolesI 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!

Cat authors Mary-Marci Kladnik, Janiss Garza, and Deb Barnes manning the Cat Writers' Association booth at BlogPaws 2015.

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.

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  1. Rosemary says:

    You outdid yourself on these fantastic pictures! Each hat seems to capture the cat’s personality.

    • Deb says:

      Thank you so much Rosemary! It really was so much fun matching a hat to each cat and I think I really did capture their personalities quite well if I don’t say so myself!

  2. Ms. Phoebe's Mom says:

    The fur kids hats do capture them perfectly! My Phoebe was just like Zoey, she wore nothing less than a crown.

  3. Dianna says:

    I never imagined my cat in a hat (or any) until your book Deb, I just love the pictures and would very much enjoy your book. I love that you place a personality on each of your cats. I only have one. She is almost 13. She is a Himalayen and I love her very much. She was my only daughter’s until she was 5. Now I have had her for 7 years. Her name is Angel and her name fits her immensely. She is my Princess and would wear a crown. She does not like hats or any clothes on her but I would love to dress her up. Thank you for your inspiring stories, blogs and pictures Deb. I love Zee & Zoey and light up when I see a post from you:-)

    • Deb says:

      Dianna – Thank you so much for your kind words. It means the world to me to know you enjoy Zee and Zoey so much! And I agree, I think a cat with the name of Angel would wear a crown…

  4. meowmeowmans says:

    All the cats look meowvahlous in their hats! Happy Dr. Seuss Day, friends!

  5. Love love love the pictures of your cats in hats! I have to say my favorite though is Zee, such a dapper fellow!
    I’d like very much to be entered for the book give away! My email is anniclan AT aol DOT com. When I was young, I had a very tattered copy of one fish two fish, I think I read it until the cover fell off.. and even after that!

  6. Judi says:

    I have always been a big “Cat in the Hat” fan–I was a cat lover from early on.

  7. da tabbies o trout towne says:

    guys…ewe iz rockin yur hats !!! we honest lee canna say
    which one we like de best…they all bee fittin yur purrsonal a teez
    two a TEE !!!! eggz cell ant job 🙂 high paws !!!!

  8. Andrea Dorn says:

    I’m not sure if the Cat in the Hat books were my favorite or Green Eggs and Ham. But I’d love to read your book.

  9. Kitties Blue says:

    Mia was winning the cat contest until we got to Kismet. Gotta love that boy in his Elmo hat. Mom’s B’day is Friday, and we would to win a copy of your book for her ’cause she’s getting so old, she may forget how to read very soon. We she was a kid in the Dark Ages she was reading books like, “Black Beauty” and “Robin Hood.”
    Here’s her e-mail (janet.blue@thecatonmyhead.com) in case we should win.
    If we don’t, it would really be a sin.
    ‘Cause we all are really big fans
    Of the unique and adorable Zee and Zoey clan.
    Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    • Deb says:

      MOL Kitties Blue… there is no doubt that Kizmet is a very special boy indeed! Good luck winning the book – we love the rhyme and the appreciate the time you took!!

  10. Mary Harrison says:

    I so enjoy reading about you and your; cats; I look forward to every one of them. The pictures are really cute. My grandson liked The Cat in a Hat. I have planning on getting a copy of your book. Maybe I will be lucky enough to win one.one Mary

  11. How did I miss this? It’s common knowledge that I am not a “reader” BUT I LOVE this book!! Since finding this wonderful world of cat bloggers I’ve done more reading than I’ve done my entire life…and Deb, your book is one of my favorites!!

  12. Sharon says:

    Gotta love cats in hats! 🙂

  13. Flynn says:

    I couldn’t remember if I asked to be included in the draw for your book giveaway so I came back to check. I hadn’t so please would you include me. Thanks.

  14. Love the Cat in Hat theme. And the photos are stunning as always. What a clever way to encourage children to read and to read more!

  15. Pam and Sam says:

    Happy Dr. Seuss Day! You are celebrating it in style in many ways……….great poem, super thoughts on reading and all the joy found in the pages of a REAL printed book…..and last but by no means least, fabulous CAT IN THE HAT photos……….we will be celebrating today EVERYWHERE – Dr. Seuss was one of a kind – just like all of us!!!!

    Love, Sammy and Mom Pam

  16. OMC! I snorted double espresso from my nose looking at these! Masterfully done, Deb. The selected hats are totally appropriate for your mew crew! Love the Dr Seuss inspired poem!

  17. Robin says:

    The earliest books I remember enjoying were all Dr.Seuss. Hop On Pop was my favorite as a little kid. I’ve grown to appreciate his work even more over time. I love the fashion photos of your kitties! 🙂

  18. All the kitties look wonderful in their hats ! Happy Dr Seuss Day ! Purrs

  19. da tabbies o trout towne says:

    guys…conga ratz two yur mom on makin de cut !!! ♥♥♥ thatz total lee kewl ♥♥♥

  20. Wonderful news about the 3rd book!!! Your babies all look so adorable in their hats 🙂