Yes, boys and girls, you may call him Dr. Seuss.

He was born March 2, 1904. After he attended Dartmouth College and Oxford University, he began a career in advertising. He published his first children's book, "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street," in 1937.

However, it was his book "The Cat in the Hat" that earned him a place in literary history 53 years ago.

Dr. Seuss went on to publish 44 children's books and win the Pulitzer Prize in 1984, in addition to three Academy Awards. He died in 1991.

And so it was, I say because, last Monday I celebrated his birthday early, you must know surely — with his 1940 classic "Horton Hatches the Egg."

Please don't complain as I attempt to explain.

The day began early for me as I found myself standing in the entrance hallway of William Winchester Elementary School, in Westminster.

I was still asleep standing up in the wrong place at the wrong time as the buzzer rang and the school burst into activity.

I quickly understood that I was no match for the little people so I quickly hid behind Laura Russell. She was very brave and really unfazed.

She was among about a dozen local dignitaries, retired teachers and other civic-minded people put together by the Woman's Club of Westminster for "Read Across America" day, which each year celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading to school children and distributing books.

I was assigned to Susan Rolla's first-grade class, in room No. 3. If I am not mistaken, it was my homeroom for a year when I went school there in the early 1960s.

Rolla had a firm grip on the class with a wonderful set of instructions, such as "1-2-3, eyes on me," and "criss-cross applesauce" whenever students became frigidity, talkative, hopping, skipping, clapping or crawling.

Her crowd control was so good I wondered if she might be available to help out with a few public hearings in the community.

You'll be happy to note that the children of the class helped me with the big words as I read "Horton Hatches the Egg," the story about a friendly elephant who takes over the task of sitting on the egg of a lazy bird named Mayzie.

Dr. Seuss published the tale in 1940, and it has all sorts of worldly advice for the reader that's good for a lifetime — far beyond the fascinating story, fun illustrations and amusing rhymes.

The next chance you get, rummage around your bookshelves at home and re-read some of his books with an adult perspective.

Or, you may watch the"Merrie Melodies" Warner Brothers' cartoon version of "Horton" — released in April 1942.

When he is not reading Dr. Seuss, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.

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