The halls of the First Steps Early Child Development Center have been temporarily transformed into Seussville for a week in celebration of Read Across America.

Read Across America is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place each year on March 2, which is also Dr. Suess’s birthday.

Thousands of schools, libraries and community centers around the country participate each year by bringing kids of all ages together under the common umbrella of Suess’s beloved children’s books.

Each year, First Steps Early Child Development Center celebrates by having a number of guests visit and read to the children, as well as having them participate in various arts and crafts associated with Seuss’s works.

Monday’s visitor was longtime educator Bobbie Gamble of Country Place Senior Living.

According to First Steps director Lisa Nimmer, the opportunity was a treat for all involved.

“It was quite a pleasure and honor to have Mrs. Gamble come and read to the children, and the children responded so well,” Nimmer said.

“They were so eager to share with her. It was just a really beautiful experience.”

It certainly wasn’t a passive experience for the youngsters, as they all chipped in early and often to Gamble as she read with stories of their own.

It was less of a one-way street and more of a conversation—though one that often blossomed into several conversations at once.

But for Nimmer, that’s a conversation that she’s glad her students are having.

“The good thing about Read Across America is that it does focus on the importance of early reading,” Nimmer added.

“There are big links between children learning how to read and write and those that were read to from birth to three years of age.  And so we really like to bring out the importance of reading to children, even if it’s an infant.

“It’s just really important to get into that daily habit of reading to your child.”