Reading Dr. Seuss on his 108th Birthday

Public libraries across Los Angeles are celebrating the 108th birthday Friday of the noted writer of children’s books, Dr. Seuss, with a “2012 Dr. Seuss Birthday Special.”

At the , which, like other branches of the budget-starved Los Angeles Public Library system opened at 1:30 p.m. Friday, children are encouraged to read three Dr. Seuss books. Children can also have the books read out to them, according to Patsy Tuck, the Eagle Rock branch’s young adult librarian.

The Dr. Seuss Birthday Special began this week and continues until March 17.

The readings automatically qualify for a raffle that offers a range of prizes, such as T-shirts and gift bags, revolving around the motion picture “Lorax,” which is being released Friday evening. The film is based on Dr. Seuss’ 1971 book, “The Lorax,” which revolves around a character by the same name who fights for the environment.

The celebrations are part of “Read Across America Day,” a nationwide initiative involving some 45 million educators, parents and children. Launched annually by the National Education Association, a body of education professionals, the program aims to develop children’s reading skills and creativity.

“The imaginations of children across the country are ignited when they open up a good book,” NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said in a news statement from New York City, where Read Across America Day officially kicked off amid readings of “The Lorax” by actors Danny DeVito and Zac Efron to some 300 New York public school elementary children.

Also as a part of Read Across America Day, the California Teachers Association has selected two books, “Gaaby and Gator”, a graphic novel by James Burks about friendship, bullying and being accepted for who you are, and “Boris Ate a Thesaurus”, by Neil Klayman and Barry Chung, about a boy who eats a thesaurus.

Share your plans for celebrating Read Across America Day with Patch or on the Read Across America pledge site. NEA and Lorax' publisher, Random House, also have lesson plans and lots of other materials, resources and printable activities for teachers, parents and kids.