Bridging Generations at the Seuss-a-Thon — The eighth annual Seuss-a-Thon will take place on Saturday, March 9, at Park Road Books (4139 Park Road) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This community event is co-sponsored by the English Department and Park Road Books, Charlotte’s only full-service, independent bookstore. At the Seuss-a-thon, many members of the English Department and other literacy advocates will participate in a four-hour marathon of reading Dr. Seuss books aloud to listeners of all ages. The Children’s Literature Graduate Organization (with help from Monica Burke and Kelly Brabec) will run a Dr. Seuss-themed crafts table, and his books will be on sale for the day.
One of the pleasures that I gain from organizing the Seuss-a-Thon every year is observing how the event brings together participants from multiple generations. I am especially pleased when the event spans three generations within one family. I am already aware of one example of such generational bridging that will take place. Heather Vorhies, her daughter (Aniela), and her mother (Janice Blain) are all planning to participate. Heather will read I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!, and Janice will read One Fish, Two Fish.
I am also aware of another special example of generational bridging that will take place at this year’s Seuss-a-Thon. At last year’s event, our dearly missed friend and colleague Anita Moss read Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? I still remember how much energy and expression she put into her reading. She had a special way of looking directly at the children in the audience and asking them the question that runs as a refrain throughout the book: “Mr. Brown can do it. How about you?” Well, nobody can read Dr. Seuss books quite like Anita, but her daughters are also very talented at reading Dr. Seuss books, and both of them will be participating in this year’s Seuss-a-Thon. Pam Hausle will read Horton Hatches the Egg, and Heather Smith will read Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? In a sense, Anita’s presence will be felt at the Seuss-a-Thon thanks to the magic of Dr. Seuss and the love of her daughters.
I will be there. How about you?
Kudos — As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to share news about recent accomplishments by members of the English Department. Here is the latest news:
Janaka Lewis recently gave an invited Black History keynote presentation titled “Where Are We in Our Stories?” and read excerpts of her books to the staff, parents and students at the CT Walker Traditional Magnet School in Janaka’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia.
Tiffany Morin published a review of Growing Up with Vampires: Essays on the Undead in Children’s Media in the most recent issue of the Children’s Literature Association Quarterly.
Alan Rauch recently received a research grant from the Lilly Library at Indiana University to conduct a research project titled “Science, Women, and the Mother Tongue: Translating Knowledge for Young Readers.”
Upcoming Events and Meetings — Here is a list of upcoming events and deadlines:
March 21 — The Children’s Literature Graduate Organization (CLGO) will hold their annual Graduate Student Colloquium on March 21 in Cone 111 from 9:30 to 2:30. The title for this year’s colloquium is “Modern Authors, Historic Influences: Framing Children’s Literature in Historical Context.”
March 26 — The Personally Speaking presentation featuring Bryn Chancellor will take place on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at UNC Charlotte Center City. Bryn’s presentation on her book Sycamore will begin at 6:30 p.m. A book signing and reception will follow her presentation. For more information and to RSVP, please click on the following link: https://clas.uncc.edu/community/personally-speaking/sycamore-novel
March 30 — The Center City Literary Festival will take place on Saturday, March 30, at UNC Charlotte Center City. The children’s part of the festival will run from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and the adult part will run from 6:00pm-9:00pm. For more information, please click on the following link: https://centercitylitfest.uncc.edu/
Quirky Quiz Question — Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) received many honorary doctoral degrees, but he never completed the PhD in English that he started after graduating from Dartmouth College. What is the name of the university where Dr. Seuss pursued his graduate studies?
John Dewey developed many of his ideas about education at a famous laboratory school associated with the university where he was then teaching. What is the name of this university?