By Jerri Haigler, Executive Director

In celebration of Read Across America Day, I read a new Dr. Seuss book today with my North Star reading buddy, Laila. North Star is Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ volunteer reading program - and BELL’s Charlotte office has partnered with school sites that hold BELL summer programs. Each week, we read with our reading buddy.

Laila & I chose to read a lesser-known Seuss book, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day.

The “neighborhood” school of “Diffendoofer”in the town of Dinkerville is one we all dream of.

The teachers are remarkable – and Miss Bonkers keeps her students eating from the palm of her hand. In the book, they refer to the teachers being different, and Miss Bonkers being “different-er” than the rest.

Simply put, she and the other teachers at Diffendoofer make learning fun and engaging. They teach the students about critical thinking skills and how to learn. When the principal, Mr. Lowe, announces that the students all have to take a test that day and if they don’t pass they will be going to Flobbertown school. In Flobbertown, everyone does everything the same (dress in one style, sing one song, never dance, march in single file, don’t have a park, dogs are scared to bark).

Miss Bonkers cheers her students on because she knows she’s prepared them for success. And in the end, the do pass with flying colors. And they celebrate with a big Diffendoofer Day.

When I read this book, I thought about how every school should be a Diffendoofer School with excellent teachers, engaging learning, and critical thinking skills going on. Every school should be a school that everyone wants to go to – and Flobbertown Schools shouldn’t exist.

I’m praying for a Diffendoofer School for every child! And the will for all of us to work hard to make that happen!

Although Dr. Seuss was passionate about the character he created in “Miss Bonkers” in Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, he struggled with this book and actually never finished it. Instead, he went on to complete “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.” It’s certainly deserving of a read, and what better day that Read Across America Day!