The Cat in the Hat comes to Waverly Park

Students at Lynbrook’s Waverly Park School joined 45 million children across the country for the Read Across America Celebration, the event that honors Dr. Seuss’s birthday by getting kids excited about reading.

Each grade voted on their favorite book, character, author, series and Dr. Seuss book. After all the votes were tallied, students staged a “Kid’s Choice Award” show. The winning votes were tallied and sealed in envelopes. Student Council officers acted as the presenters, opening each envelope to wild cheers from the audience, as the winners in each category, played by Waverly Park students, came up to the stage to claim their trophies. To no one’s surprise, Dr. Seuss himself garnered the most awards. In between the rounds of awards, students read fun facts they had learned about Dr. Seuss.

Then to everyone’s delight, the Cat in the Hat himself — played by Principal Lucille McAssey — made a surprise appearance, gathering all the winners around Dr. Seuss to sing “Happy Birthday.”

Students organized this event under the direction of reading teacher Maria Viviano-Farry and library media specialist Jacki Marino.