When Theodore Geisel, the beloved children’s author known affectionately as Dr. Seuss, wrote “Horton Hatches an Egg” 60 years ago, he couldn’t have known how much of an impact he would have on children today in Weehawken.
After all, it’s not every day that Weehawken gets mentioned in a children’s classic.
But sure enough, Seuss included Weehawken in his book about the lovable elephant who tries to hatch an egg, made famous with his battle cry: “I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant faithful 100 percent.”
In that book, Seuss wrote about Horton’s appearances in a circus: “They took him to Boston, to Kalamazoo, Chicago, Weehawken and Washington, too.”
Last Friday, both Webster and Roosevelt schools in the town celebrated what would have been Seuss’ 98th birthday with their annual “Read Across America” celebrations.
In both schools, people from all walks of life came to the school to read Seuss stories to the children.
At Roosevelt School, a birthday celebration complete with a cake and singing “Happy Birthday” took place.
“That’s the part I liked the best, when we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Dr. Seuss,” said Victoria Heaney, a fourth grader at Roosevelt. “He has given us so many fun stories and he’s helped to make reading fun for us.”
Heaney said that she was happy to see such dignitaries as Mayor Richard Turner and the entire Township Council at the school, reading to the children. “I was very excited about that,” Heaney said. “It was fun to have them all come to our school.”
Pilar Romano, a fifth grader, was glad the school has carried the tradition of honoring Seuss every year. “Each year, you get a different reader, someone new, coming to your classroom,” Romano said. “I like that. You learn different things about the different people.”
Romano also enjoyed the fact that Seuss included Weehawken in his work. “I get excited every time I read it,” Romano said. “It’s a good feeling knowing he mentioned Weehawken.”
It’s also important to Webster School Principal Arthur Palumbo. “I think it helps the kids feel a sense of closeness, knowing that Weehawken is mentioned in the book,” Palumbo said.
Wild about reading
At Webster School, each floor was transformed into an area consistent with the theme of the program, “Go Wild About Reading.”
According to school librarian Dorothy Helwig, who coordinated the efforts, the school became a rainforest on the first floor, featured African animals on the second floor, and displayed animals of the woods on the third floor.
“Everyone chipped in and did a great job with the decorations,” Helwig said. “It was a fun day for the kids, especially to have the mayor and other dignitaries coming to the school.”
Helwig was able to get a local Saturn dealer to donate the hats made famous by the popular Seuss story “Cat in the Hat,” and a book and a bookmark for the children, courtesy of the Weehawken Education Association. “Everyone enjoyed themselves,” Helwig said.
Palumbo echoed those sentiments. “It was a real fun day for the kids, but I think the adults who came in to read also had a lot of fun,” Palumbo said. “I think the adults were able to stress the importance of reading and it solidified the thought that if the adults were taking the time to help them to read, then it must be important.”