Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Fifty years ago Dr. Seuss wrote a book, with a hook, that changed the way illiteracy looked.

Off the Beaten Path Bookstore is joining the nation-wide campaign, "Project 236," on Friday to raise money and awareness for literary, and celebrate the 50th birthday of "The Cat in the Hat."

At 12:36 p.m. (2:36 p.m. eastern standard time), bookstore owner Dick Ryan will lead a reading of the 236 words in the book, with the participation of bookstore guests.

"We are trying to get three-generation families to participation in the reading," said Debbie Hoing, events coordinator for the bookstore. "With the book being 50 years old - there are people who have grown up with it, then their children grew up with it and now their grandchildren are growing up with it."

Theodor Geisel, also know as Dr. Seuss, wrote "The Cat in the Hat" in 1957 after being challenged to write a book first-graders would not be able to put down. The high rates of illiteracy at the time were attributed to inadequate teaching methods and boring material children were given to read.

This book was an instant classic because of the rhyming verses, fun characters, and silliness of the story.

"It is extremely whimsical, but simplistic," Hoing said. "He blended words and pictures to encourage kids to read by themselves."

Random House, Inc. partnered with First Book - a non-profit organization, whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books - for this campaign.

"For every book we sell, (Random House) is giving a certain amount of the proceeds to that organization," Hoing said. "And we will have birthday postcards. For each person who sends one in, Random House will donate one book to First Book."

Illiteracy still is a problem in the United States, and children in poverty - whom are targeted by First Book - are the most at risk. This event is a fun way to promote literacy with a timeless story anyone can enjoy and relate to.

Hoing began reading "The Cat in the Hat" when she was 5 or 6 years old.

"I definitely have memories of reading it as a child," she said. "And I've read it to my children since then many times."

If you go

What: A "generational read" and 50th birthday celebration of "The Cat in the Hat"

When: 12:36 p.m. Friday

Where: Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, 56 7th St.

Cost: Free

Call: 879-6830

On the Web: www.catinthehat.com