The extended top hats and cat tails come out once a year in the Miss-Lou to honor Dr. Seuss and his famous cat in the hat.

The annual Read Across America day celebrates Seuss’ birthday in style.

Students at Ferriday Upper Elementary, Adams County Christian School and Vidalia Lower were among the local schools celebrating Friday.

Schools invited guest readers to spend time with students and lead classes in the reader’s oath, promising to read every day.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important reading is,” FUES teacher Hattie Brice said to a class of students. “That is the key to your future.”

Brice was one of a group of school employees, community leaders and invited guests reading at FUES. Other readers included Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell, Judge Kathy Johnson and Principal Cindy Smith.

All third-grade students at the school received a free book as part of the festivities.

The Rev. Melvin White, off Pilgrim Baptist Church in Natchez, was one of the Ferriday readers.

“I came out because of the kids,” he said. “It’s important to be involved as a role model for kids.”

White read A Bus of Our Own to the children, a story about segregation. The group was very responsive, he said, answering all his questions afterward.

In Vidalia, the lower elementary school made the stories a school wide event, inviting Sheila Lanius and Glen McGlothin to read books over the intercom.

The students also participated in several minutes of silent reading in their classrooms.

Kerryon Swift, 6, said he read his favorite book Friday.

“I read at home and I like to read by myself,” he said.

Classmate Jarred Thompson, 8, said he liked funny books the best.

“I read 10 a day,” he said.