{"id":11752,"date":"2016-03-02T00:10:05","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T05:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=11752"},"modified":"2016-03-05T07:40:30","modified_gmt":"2016-03-05T12:40:30","slug":"march-2nd-dr-seuss-read-across-america-day-and-the-chronicles-of-zee-zoey-book-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/march-2nd-dr-seuss-read-across-america-day-and-the-chronicles-of-zee-zoey-book-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Reading with Cats Wearing Hats for Dr. Seuss’s Read Across America Day!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dr.<\/a>

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.<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to me and my life, a cat on my lap will more than suffice.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A cat on my lap with a good book to read, I can tell you honestly that’s all I really need.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A cat on my lap for me to\u00a0pet, I really would be absolutely set!<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps a cup of\u00a0espresso\u00a0too, if you\u00a0wouldn’t\u00a0mind, thank you.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

And while you\u2019re at it, if it\u2019s not too much trouble, could you rush it and make it a double?<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s all for now, my leg is asleep, the cat won\u2019t move and I don\u2019t dare make a peep\u2026 <\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Today is Read Across America Day<\/a>, a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss\u2019s birthday. I can\u2019t imagine there’s\u00a0anyone who doesn’t know who Dr. Seuss<\/a> is in one form or another. His books like The Cat in the Hat<\/em> and Green Eggs and Ham<\/em> 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<\/em> and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Reading<\/a>

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!<\/p><\/div>\n

My first introduction to Dr. Seuss was the Cat in the Hat<\/em> 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\u2019s house, well, I was just beside myself living through their eyes! Cats, rhymes, fun, and more!<\/p>\n

What a wonderful opportunity to share the joys of reading with children\u00a0\u2013 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<\/em> books. Reading is integral\u00a0to 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.<\/p>\n

I shudder to think that books could become obsolete\u00a0– 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!<\/p>\n

\"Getting<\/a>

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!<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/a><\/em> and Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond<\/a><\/em> have brought joy and comfort to readers fills my heart with pride.<\/p>\n

\"Books<\/a>

Writing is almost like giving birth when you are an author – my two self-published babies!<\/p><\/div>\n

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?\u00a0Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book or reading memory?<\/p>\n

\"Jazmine<\/a>

Since Jazmine was found in a barn and is the ultimate diva princess, somehow a pink cowgirl hat with a rhinestone tiara seemed fitting!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Mia<\/a>

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…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Rolz<\/a>

I envision Rolz to be the ultimate playboy bachelor and that’s why I put him in a sportster cap. Swoon now lady cats…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Peanut<\/a>

Peanut is a tomboy and likes to wear her baseball cap to the side!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Zee<\/a>

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!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Zoey<\/a>

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…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Kizmet<\/a>

Oh Kizmet… you darling boy. No surprise here… We love the boy dearly, but he does march to his own drummer…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"hearts\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Mr.<\/a>

My handsome angel, Mr. Jazz, was always such a dignified cat. A simple bowler hat is perfect for him.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Harley<\/a>

My angel Harley was never one prone to fashion or trends so she shyly displays a simple but stunning 40’s inspired flapper hat.<\/p><\/div>\n

I hope you enjoyed the pictures – on another reading note, I’m excited to say that several authors representing the Cat Writers’ Association<\/a> made the Wall Street Journal in an article entitled In the World of Cat Fiction, Fur Flies Over Whether Stars Get Speaking Roles<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>I didn’t get my name in lights, but my picture, along with that of Janiss Garza of SparkleCat<\/a> and CWA president, Mary-Marci Kladnik made the cut!<\/p>\n

Appropriately for Read Across America Day, concats to Sue W. – who won a copy of\u00a0\u00a0Tortitude \u2013 The BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude\u00a0<\/em>from\u00a0our review and giveaway!<\/p>\n

\"Cat<\/a>

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<\/p><\/div>\n

This post was updated from a previous publication to reflect current events.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n