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.