As part of the nationwide celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday March 1, United Way of the Lowcountry and The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) are partnering to spread the love of reading.

From 2-5 p.m. on Friday, March 1, the library lawn at USCB’s Hilton Head Gateway campus located on Hwy 278 in Bluffton will sport tables, tents and happy readers celebrating the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Local authors and USCB faculty members will take center stage on the steps of the library and read from their favorite children’s books. Some will read in languages other than English.

Geisel published 46 children’s books, known for their imaginative and cartoonish characters and compelling rhymes — which helped capture the interest of very young readers. Some of his best-known books include “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” “Horton Hatches the Egg,” “Horton Hears a Who!” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

As part of the local Read Across America project, United Way of the Lowcountry and USCB are seeking favorite quotes from favorite books from Beaufort and Jasper county residents. The quotes will be featured in social media postings about Read Across America. To share, email Ann-Marie Adams at AAdams@uwlowcountry.org.

United Way of the Lowcountry is recruiting volunteers to tutor in eight Beaufort and Jasper county elementary schools. The goal is to have students reading at grade level by fourth grade. Already some 300 people are volunteering their time and talent, but United Way needs a minimum of 600 volunteer tutors to achieve the goal.

Tina Gentry, new CEO of United Way of the Lowcountry, hopes the Read Across America event will encourage additional reading tutors to sign up to help elementary school students achieve grade level reading by the time they enter fourth grade. For details about volunteer tutoring opportunities, contact Jill Briggs at 843-837-2000.

USCB is a regional leader in teaching teachers and boosting literacy through their Early Childhood and Elementary Education baccalaureate degree programs.  The university is hosting this week’s Read Across America event through its Education Club.

The afternoon events are free to all.

<strong>IF YOU GO</strong>

What: An afternoon celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday with reading, games,  storytellers, face painting and crafts

When: Friday, March 1, 2-5 p.m.

Where: Library Lawn, University of South Carolina Beaufort, One University Boulevard, Bluffton

Details:

<b>• 2:15 p.m.</b>  Reader: Tim D. Johnston, Author &amp; Publisher

Reading: “Where the Wild Things Are” by Mauric Sendak.

<b>• 2:30 p.m.:</b> Reader: Joan C. Harris, Author

Reading: “Clyde’s Dog” by J. C. Fewell (12 storybook page) <b>2:45 p.m.:</b> Reader: Alex Moody, Writer &amp; Editor. Reading: The Phantom Tollbooth by  Norton Juster (parts of first 2 chapters) <b>3 p.m.:</b> Reader: Stephanie Austin Edwards, Author. Reading: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss