THOMAS – Ivonne Martinez, director of the Mountaintop Library in Thomas, donned a Cat in the Hat costume as she visited various locations during the month of March, spreading the word about her love of reading, and sharing that love with folks through the county. March has traditionally been dubbed as Dr. Seuss month because the author, Theodor Geisel, was born March 2.
Mountaintop Public Library Director Yvonne Martinez, dressed as the Cat in the Hat, spreads the love of reading during “Read Across America Day.”
“The uniform was given to us by Mrs. Gay and she gave me the Cat in the Hat costume so I could keep that tradition going,” Martinez said. “I have kept up the tradition of “Read Across America,” which is March 2, in honor of Dr. Seuss.”
Martinez said she enjoys sharing the love of reading with kids.
“Every year, we bring books to children who maybe do not have books in their homes,” Martinez said. “Students in Pre –K through fourth grade each received a book as Martinez went from room to room to read to the students dressed in her costume.”
Martinez said giving the books was inspired by the Dolly Parton Foundation Imagination Library, which works to foster a love a reading by providing books to children monthly from birth to age five.
“I decided to provide books to the students at Davis/Thomas Elementary Middle School, and two years later, I went to the Montessori School and one year I did a Saturday event with the Tucker County Family Resource Network in Davis,” Martinez said. “Last year, I went around town and took photos with everybody including Mayor Matt Quattro, and business owners from Tip Top and Green Rivers. I wanted to make people aware that reading is important and spread the love of reading.”
She said the books she distributed were donated by a couple in Canaan. “One time they showed up and began unloading boxes of books. They said the wife’s community where the couple live full-time did a book drive for the Mountaintop Library. That was an amazing thing and we received about 500 books from that community.”
Martinez made her yearly funding request for the Mountaintop Library to the Tucker County Commission dressed as the Cat in the Hat.
“I am here as Cat in the Hat and I want to read a few pages from, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” by Dr. Seuss,” Martinez said. “You will get messed up, of course as you already know. You will get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step, you step with care and great tact. And remember that life is a great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft and never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed! 98 ¾ percent guaranteed! Kid, you will move mountains!”
The Mountaintop Library is located at 384 Second St., in Thomas. Additional information is available online at www.mountaintop.lib.wv.us or by calling 304-463-4582.
