Happy 108th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

This week marks what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 108th birthday, as well as the opening for the highly anticipated animated big-screen debut of one the author’s most favored books, The Lorax.

Dr. Seuss has been entertaining readers for generations.  His bright and exotic illustrations tantalize the mind and the easy-to-read rhymes are usually life lessons disguised as fun—and sometimes mischievous—adventures.  With this being such a Seuss-centric week, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has compiled a list of the Top 5 Seuss books that are more than meets the eye, stories that also teach children how to handle challenging situations :

• The Lorax –  Teaches children the need to be environmentally conscious.

• Oh, The Places You'll Go – Teaches children how to remain positive when faced with adversity.

• The Cat in the Hat – Teaches children about responsibility and honesty.

• I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! – Teaches children that reading is a useful tool to acquire knowledge.

• And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street – Teaches children to be imaginative.

“Dr. Seuss stories are the perfect way to introduce children to themes that they will be encountering throughout their lives.  From these books, children are given examples of how to be independent and self-confident, how to care for the world around them and other lessons that they will be able to draw wisdom from throughout their lives,” said Erin Jackman, Director of the Brooke Jackman Foundation.

The Brooke Jackman Foundation was created in 2001 to honor Brooke Jackman, a bright and compassionate 23-year-old avid reader who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker.  Brooke’s passion and commitment to literacy and helping children spurred the Jackman family to create the Foundation as her living legacy – turning tragedy and despair into hope for a better world.  Since its inception, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has donated over 100,000 books and 15,000 “Brooke Packs,” backpacks filled with books and school supplies, to children and families in need.  In addition to an annual Read-a-thon, BJF has established four libraries, as well as a number of after school literacy programs, at sites across all five boroughs, including homeless shelters and Family Justice Centers for victims of domestic violence and crime in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.