State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today thanks the many teachers, parents, and community leaders taking time for the National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day” and reminds all students to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ 107th birthday:

Hello boys and girls,

Do you want to have fun?

Find a big easy chair,

For there’s reading to be done.

So get a good book,

Maybe a mystery or two.

Sit back, and find out

What the butler did do.

Books are the best.

They’ll teach you new things.

They’ll take you to places,

Like Saturn and its rings.

They’ll help you to know

All there’s to learn.

And when you grow up

They’ll help you to earn.

For it won’t be long

Before you compete

With people ‘round the globe.

That will be quite a feat.

So read, my good friends.

Read every day.

You’ll find when you do

Your brain will shout, Yea!

(With apologies to Theodor Seuss Geisel)

To help parents, teachers, and students find outstanding grade-level reading material, the California Department of Education has a Web site of recommended Literature at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/ll/