Read on a bridge, read in Lake Ridge

The Cat in the Hat made an appearance Saturday afternoon in a Lake Ridge community center to promote reading.

The event is held yearly to generate interest in reading and celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday. He would have turned 105 this year.

The event featured several activities for children, including games, free books, and pictures with 'the Kat,' guest readers, puppet shows, book distributions; free reading resources, and a book fair.

Fort Belvoir Elementary School kindergartener, 6-year old Ty Swick, read 'The Cat in the Hat.' His father, Tech Sgt. Stephan Swick volunteered to wear the Cat in the Hat costume while Ty's mother volunteered assisting kids at each station.

Barbara Edwards, director of the program Kat in the Hat, teaches kindergarten at Fort Belvoir Elementary school. "My main goal is to empower families to read early and often to children," Edwards said.

The Prince William County Supervisor, Michael C. May, was also a guest reader.

The program was designed to encourage children and their parents to commit time and make an effort to develop reading skills in a fun-filled environment.

Literacy begins at a very early age, and family involvement is significant to teaching our children to love reading and comprehend age-appropriate books.
Kat in the Hat is a subsidiary of CRIBS: Caring Relationships Involving Book Sharing. CRIBS Program model is centered on one central belief: We must "Start Reading Now!" Reading with, and to children, builds on their foundation for success.

For more information on future events or bookings please e-mail thecat@katinthehat.com or call 571 338-4167.