On Tuesday, the first lady took the lead, encouraging all young people to read. The book "Cat in the Hat" contained a lesson she told, to celebrate Dr. Seuss, who would have been 106 years old.
Michelle Obama joined more than 200 students from Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress to kick off the 13th Annual "Read Across America" celebration. The event also marked the birthday of famed author Dr. Seuss (born Theodor Geisel), which President Obama has declared as Read Across America Day. (To properly honor Dr. Seuss and spare all those who are still reading, there will be no more rhyming attempts from here on out.)
The always-stylish Mrs. Obama didn't join the kids in donning a red-and-white striped hat worn by the eponymous Cat. But she did offer her own insights on the book, asking the children, "Would you let a strange cat into your house?"
The first lady also offered this important lesson, which the children in the Dr. Seuss classic failed to heed: "You should all listen to your fish, that's the moral of the story."
Mrs. Obama and education officials praised the many virtues of reading to promote the true moral of the day. "If you learn how to read, you can do anything" said the FLOTUS. "You'll be able to write better, you'll be able to think better, and you'll be able to imagine anything. So reading now is very important."
Scoring a later bedtime is also another apparent bonus to reading. Mrs. Obama said daughters Malia and Sasha are allowed to stay up 30 minutes later if they're spending the time with a good book.
Another good example on display at the library showed kids how to take turns: Education Secretary Arne Duncan also read to the students, flipping through the pages of "Horton Hears a Who." And National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel led children in this oath: "I promise to read each day and night. I know it's the key to growing up right."
