by Mary Abreu

The Cat in the Hat, that fantastical character from Dr. Seuss, will celebrate his 50th birthday on March 2 (the birth date of his creator). What better way to mark the occasion than with some Seussically fun activities, crafts and snacks?

Read, I Can

Dr. Seuss used only 236 different words to write The Cat in the Hat. Join other fans of the book in the National Education Association’s Read Across America, which brings together kids, families and schools to read aloud The Cat in the Hat at 2:36 p.m. on March 2. Organizers hope to set a world record for the most people simultaneously reading a book aloud. The Georgia Association of Educators, the state branch of the NEA, is planning events around the state at local schools; check with your school for details.

The Fernbank Natural History Museum plans a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday with an event to encourage family reading on March 3. Storytellers, book-themed crafts, special character visits and more mark the museum’s first Dr. Seuss birthday party. Events take place from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and are included in museum admission (free for members). If you bring a new book, you can receive half off a child’s admission with the purchase of an adult admission.

Not-To-Miss Dr. Seuss Books

• The Cat in the Hat

• Hop on Pop

• Green Eggs and Ham

• Horton Hears a Who!

• Great Day for Up

Recipes

Green Eggs-travaganza!
4 eggs
3 tsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 drops green food coloring

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Cook over high heat until the water starts to boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer (low boil) for 10 minutes. Place the cooked eggs in cold water. When they are cool enough to touch, crack the eggshells all over by rolling them on a hard surface. Peel away the shells carefully and cut the eggs in half widthwise.

Remove the yolks from the eggs and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, salt, pepper and mustard. Stir the egg mixture with a spatula until it is creamy. Add green food coloring until you reach the desired shade.Scoop the egg mixture back into the egg whites. Place the eggs on top of individual ham rounds and serve with toast points if desired.

Feeds 4 hungry green-egg lovers. (Double or triple quantities if you’re serving this as fun finger food at an eggs-travagant party!)
www.seussville.com

Green Eggs and Ham ŕ la Sam-I-Am
1-2 Tbs. butter or margarine
4 slices ham
8 eggs
2 Tbs. milk
1-2 drops green food coloring
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Melt a teaspoon of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sliced ham and brown until edges are slightly crisp. Remove the ham from the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and set aside.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Beat with a whisk until frothy. Then add 1-2 drops of green food coloring until you reach the desired shade of green.

Heat a tablespoon of butter or margarine in a large frying pan over medium heat until the butter begins to sizzle. Then add the egg mixture to the pan.

Stir the egg mixture with a spatula until the eggs are firm and not too runny.
Transfer the eggs to individual plates. Garnish with a sprig of parsley. Add the ham prepared earlier. Serve with toast or warm rolls.
www.seussville.com
 

Cat-In-The-Hat Treat
Vanilla or chocolate wafer cookies
Gummy Lifesaver Candies (preferably red)
Vanilla frosting

Place the wafer cookie on a plate. Drop a thick glob of frosting in the middle of it. Place a Gummy Lifesaver (preferably red) on the frosting. Put more frosting on top of the Gummy Lifesaver, alternating to make a treat that looks like the red-and-white striped Cat in the Hat hat.
www.familycrafts.about.com