Tuesday, hundreds of Americans donned silly-looking red and white striped hats and read silly phrases, all in honor of one of America’s most well known authors, Dr. Seuss.

In honor of what would have been Seuss’ 106th birthday, hundreds of thousands of school children giggled and guffawed as teachers, principals and community volunteers read the rhyming, almost lyrical words of “The Cat in the Hat.”

The silly hats and focus on reading were part of the Read Across America day.

And Dr. Seuss is its Santa Claus and Easter bunny all rolled into one.

The only difference is that Seuss’ goal was to entertain and help focus young children on reading.

For those of us whose parents read Seuss’ work over and over again to our delighted and giggly young minds, the impression it made was a lasting one.

Decades after we first heard of Horton hearing a Who, we’re still delighted when a familiar phrase is repeated.

And who can forget the notion of “Green Eggs and Ham?”

Aside from the obvious interaction with the parent or guardian who was doing the reading, the silly singsong words and phrases taught us all that reading is fun and educational.

If American parents spent more time reading to their children and less time in front of the TV, our educational systems would improve.

It’s such a simple concept, yet it’s so true. And that’s the best part about Read Across America, it focuses all of us back on the simply pleasure of reading.

As Frazier Primary School teacher Samantha Fielder said Tuesday, bringing in people from outside to read to the children shows the children that the community cares about their education, too.

Dr. Seuss couldn’t have said it any better, though he’d have certainly rhymed it.