The weekend is here, so it's time to let loose
As we celebrate 109 years of a Doctor named Seuss.

"One fish, two fish
Red fish, blue fish."
They're words we've read
That have stayed in our head,
Making reading a thing we'd no longer dread.

He's the author of books we've read since first grade,
Though not a real doctor by the medical trade.

His books changed children's literature, no we're not lyin'.
Just ask M.C.P.L. Library Assistant Amy Ryan.

"One of the things that Dr. Seuss really pioneers was making language simple for kids and making it easy to understand," Ryan said.

Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904,
He worked as a cartoonist in the second world war.

But after a small bump before his fame came.
Geisel began writing under the middle of his name.

Pronounced "soice" as in "voice," he only relented
To use Seuss instead once his name was cemented.

His first book: "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street"
Was rejected dozens of times, a crippling defeat.

But his fortures changed when put to the test.
With "The Cat in the Hat" and you know the rest.

"He was given a list of 300 words and told to pare it down to 250 and then write a book using just those 250 words," Ryan said. "These were words that were determine to be important for kids to know before they entered school. That book was 'The Cat in the Hat,' which I think every parent has read to their kids since it was published."

We all have our favorites, be they Grinches or Sneetches,
For the stories they tell and lessons he teaches.

"In 'The Cat in the Hat,' it was important to make sure everything was good before mom got home," Ryan said. "Then with 'The Lorax' he's talking about ecology, with 'Horton Hears A Who' it's important to listen to the small things and it doesn't matter how small you are, you can still make a difference."

At times Seuss went farther than ever before,
Not shying away from the questions of war.

"'The Butter Battle Book' is a huge, huge piece of children's literature," Ryan said. "Even though children didn't understand what was happening during the Cold War, it was something parents understood and it opened up an avenue for them to talk about things."

So Saturday at the Marathon County Library in Wausau,
All are welcome to come and celebrate this beloved author.

"These are books that parents have read to their kids for years and years," Ryan said. "So really it's a multigenerational thing, we see a lot of grandparents coming in with their kids and sharing these stories and seeing them in a whole new light."

From 10:30 to noon, in the book lover's book room,
You can escape from the gloom,
In the works of a famed nom de plume.

"Every high school graduate gets at least one copy of 'Oh, the Places You'll Go,' college graduates," Ryan said. "It's a message that's timeless."

And you're never too old
To learn what you're told
Through the magic of word,
Many often absurd.

"One of the favorite quotes of mine" Ryan said, "is, 'Today you are you that is truer than true, today there is no one more youer than you.'"

Dr. Seuss' birthday has been declared a day for kids to read,
Giving the next generation the chance to succeed.
If you'd like to attend Saturday's celebration,
Call 715-261-7220 for more information