MUNCY – March 2 was Read Across America Day and what better place to celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss than at the Muncy Public Library. A special story time hour was presented to pre-schoolers by guest reader, Louise Fulmer, a member of CLUST, a retired state teachers organization under the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Read Across America Day was created under the umbrella of the National Education Association as a reading initiative for all ages, especially young children.

CLUST is a local retired teacher’s organization representing Clinton, Lycoming, Union, Snyder and Tioga County. They are actively involved in the welfare of schools and communities and has one of the largest educational foundations in the state. Members enjoy the same benefits they had as active members of PSEA and more. “Our goal is to enhance literary skills and to encourage young children and their families to read together, to enjoy their local libraries, and to have books in the home,” said Fulmer who is a retired school psychologist and resides in Pennsdale.

Fulmer and library director, Victoria Thompson Hess opened up the program with an array of interactive songs and movement such as “Wheels on the Bus” and the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” They were joined by a group from Pitter-Patter Day School in Muncy who all received a free Dr. Seuss book after the program.

The books were courtesy of CLUST and the Friends of the Muncy Public Library. “It was a lot of fun for me,” said Fulmer afterwards. “I’m really happy to work with the library and read to them. It is a joyous effort,” she added. Fulmer is also a member of the Friends of the Muncy Library and has been for the past 27 years. She read ‘Yertle Turtle’ and ‘Gertrude McFuzz’ by Dr. Seuss to the children. Dr. Seuss books are good to use to reel in young readers because of the metered rhyming patterns which keeps them focused and motivated.

Before leaving the library, each child received his or her own book to keep and a Dr. Seuss ‘Read Every Day’ bookmark.