NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library will host the fifth annual SeussFest on March 5 from 12-4 p.m. The event will begin on the Alvin Sherman Library quad.
The event consists of storytelling, children’s theater, face painting and free books for the attending children. There will also be food trucks and different sponsors giving away coupons and freebies.
According to Anne Leon, the executive director for public library services at the Alvin Sherman Library, the event has grown considerably over the past couple of years.
“Last year, we had over 4,000 people attend Seussfest,” Leon said. “The event has grown to include not just the library building, but the lawn, the Fellows Way, the Miniaci Performing Arts Center and the DeSantis atrium.”
SeussFest is one of a five-part initiative called “Read for the Fun of It,” which is a push to improve childhood literacy.
“We are out in the community on a regular basis, doing story time and enrichment events that the children might not receive otherwise,” Leon explained. “All of it is aimed at helping younger children become better readers and giving them the skills, enthusiasm and inspiration by creating wonderful programs and story times.”
During the event, there will be a free book shop set up for children with a ‘Seuss-buck’ system in the DeSantis Atrium. One ‘Seuss-buck’ is equivalent to one free book.
“We will have The Cat in the Hat book shop, where children can use their Seussbuck and turn it in for a book of their choice,” Leon said. “All the books are selected by youth services librarians so that we have materials that are on the appropriate developmental reading levels to choose from. We will have librarians present who will be giving advice about what will be the best selection.”
Brithney Lamour, junior biology major, has volunteered at SeussFest in the past and is excited to see what the upcoming event has in store.
“I liked being able to help the kids make different crafts when I volunteered, and I enjoyed making them smile with the little things I did,” Lamour said. “I think the event provides children with tools that will ultimately benefit them in the long run.”
Leon said that the date is not chosen by coincidence; they choose the first week in March to honor Dr. Seuss.
Leon said, “We celebrate SeussFest in March because March 2nd is the birthday of Theodore Giselle, who is Dr. Seuss, so every first Sunday in March since then we have celebrated with Seussfest.”
Leon said that it is through the hard work and dedication of her staff that the event is possible and a great time for all who attend.
“We have wonderful entertainment this year, and our main focus is to keep that love of reading and stories alive, so we have a lot of storytellers, and it will really be a great day for people to hang out with their children,” she said. “There will be something for everyone regardless of age.”
The event is open to the public. For more information, visit sherman.library.nova.edu/sites/spotlight/event/seussfest.
