“Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars. The Plain-Belly Sneetches had none upon thars,” read Katie Fuller, Fairland High School junior, to a first-grade class at Fairland East Elementary Wednesday morning as part of their annual Dr. Seuss Day.

Fairland’s 11th grade college-prep English class split into pairs, some dressed in crazy hats, bright socks, wigs or costumes, to read Dr. Seuss books to elementary students. One was dressed as the Cat in the Hat himself, and two second graders, Emily and Elizabeth Carrico, were dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2.

“It’s really to stress reading and that it can be fun,” said Principal Magaret Keeney about Dr. Seuss Day. “Books bring things alive when kids listen.”

Drew Fowler read with partner Destiny Shockley to a room of first graders.

“I love it,” Drew said. “I love dressing up like this, and making people laugh. It’s a great time.”

Drew admitted he has been a long-time Dr. Seuss fan.

Destiny was equally excited about sharing Dr. Seuss with the students.

“I love reading to little kids and seeing the looks on their faces,” she said. “I’m excited about that.”

Desiny laughed as she admitted she was reading at home the night before to a room of invisible children to prepare.

“My mom was laughing at me,” she said.

First-grader Sydney Belville said she was excited for Dr. Seuss Day. Her class was allowed to bring their favorite Dr. Seuss books into class Wednesday. Sydney said what her favorite Dr. Seuss book was.

“How the Grinch stole Christmas’ because my favorite time is Christmas,” she said.

Sydney said she wants to be a teacher when she grows up and plans on having Dr. Seuss Day at her school then too.

First grade teacher Chris Dennis said her students love story time, and she appreciates what the Dr. Seuss books offer for the students.

“I think just listening to the rhyming, it’s on their level,” she said. “Stories they can relate to. It’s really good for using imagination.”

In addition to story time, Dr. Seuss Day was celebrated in many ways. The hallways were lined with poster-size painted Dr. Seuss book covers and the teachers decorated classroom doors Dr. Seuss style. The elementary students were able to vote on their favorite doors.

For breakfast, the students were served none other than green eggs and in the afternoon the students’ faces were painted with cat noses and whiskers.