PENDLETON — A cat wearing a hat paid a visit in the name of reading at Willis Hare Elementary.

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As the guest walked down the hall last Friday, students whispered, “It’s the Cat in the Hat” or  “I love your books.”

The Cat in the Hat (Paige Timberlake) was one of several guest readers in recognition of Read Across America Day.

Timberlake dressed as the Cat in the Hat because she felt reading is very important.

“Parents should support children in reading,” she said. “If you try to entertain them, they will be more apt to do it.”

She read to students in Polly Drake’s second grade class where the students and Drake were dressed as different storybook characters. Drake was dressed as Pippi Longstocking.

As Drake talked, she pointed out Cinderella, Blackbeard, Goldilocks, Darth Vader and several hunters from different stories.

“I think it’s a great program because it gives the community and parents a chance to get involved in reading to their children,” Drake said.

Zajule Clark, a student in Drake’s class and the STAR student of the month for the school, said he enjoyed seeing the Cat in the Hat. “It was like seeing a celebrity read,” he said.

Later, Timberlake went to the Patricia Dickens first grade class. She told them they could come and see the Cat in the Hat anytime they want.

“I can tell you my magical trick,” Timberlake said. “All you have to do is open my book. I want each of you, whether it be me or your favorite book, to open the book and pretend you are the person in that book.”

Willis Hare Assistant Principal Catina Hoggard said the event went very well and was delighted to celebrate Dr. Seuss. “He has so many books students love and his style appeals to students,” she said.

Hoggard added she was glad various community leaders and persons from the school system were able to share in the message that reading is a fundamental piece of education. “We just hope to build a love of reading,” she said.

Northampton County Board of Education member Marjorie Edwards said her love for children made her want to volunteer to read, “The Butter Battle Book” by Dr. Seuss. “It was nice to be able to do something fun for our youth,” she said. “I love it. It was great.”

Some of the other readers at the event included Dr. Nicholas King, the Rev. Robert Sessoms, Myrna Goldberg, Kelvin Baldwin, State Rep. Michael Wray, Jackie Grant and Berenice Correa.

One of the readers, Dr. Ola Gathers, said she was glad to stress the importance of reading to students. She read the “500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.”

She said, “It is important the community becomes involved and give the students another perspective.”