TAMPA, Fla. – On Saturday teachers, librarians, book lovers and parents celebrate National Dr. Seuss Day.

To honor the legacy of Theodor Seuss Geisel, fans mark the day of his birthday as National Read Across America Day.

What You Need To Know

  •  Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is celebrating Dr. Seuss Day and National Read Across America Day    

  •  Ukrainian family new to Tampa Bay celebrates first Dr. Seuss day with child

  •  At almost two years old, Platon is taking early childhood classes at Westchase Library

Spectrum Bay News 9 found a family new to Tampa Bay who is celebrating their first Dr. Seuss Day when we visited the Westchase Library.

As kids and parents walked into the pre-school story time class, they knew right away they were in for a treat.

“May I eat your ticket? Mwah,” said Mr. Jeff Ward, an early childhood learning teacher with the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.

At almost two years old, Platon and his mom Nataliia quickly learned today’s story time is taking them somewhere new.

“We’re going to be talking about Dr. Seuss today,” said Mr. Jeff. “We’re going to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and we’re reading Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

Platon and Nataliia meet up regularly with their little friend Ophelia at the Westchase Library.

More than just grabbing Green Eggs and Ham to read, it’s been a place to feed their minds and much more.

Nataliia told us the public library has been a great way to transition into their new community, country, and language.

“I think it will be six months just when we come to USA,” said Nataliia Serhiienko. “And we started with this library. It’s a great way to learn English together.”

They came from Ukraine.

You already know why.

But about Dr. Seuss, they’ve known him for some time.

“Yes of course, I read some books,” said Nataliia when asked if she heard about Dr. Seuss when living overseas. “And we also take some books from here to read at home.”

However, it’s the first time the Serhiienko family is celebrating Dr. Seuss Day here in America.

Story time teacher Mr. Jeff Ward said Dr. Seuss books are a great introduction to early childhood learning and reading.

“He makes these really complex ideas really easy for children to understand as well,” said Mr. Jeff. “If you get them early with the characters just flipping through the pages with all the beautiful colors, I think that really helps.”

Platon’s parents couldn’t agree more, especially the influence Dr. Seuss is having on Platon.

“Influence on my son definitely and they bring some positive effect for his mind and for his person,” said Anton Serhiienko, Platon’s dad.

The early childhood learning classes provided by the library system are something to stand up and clap about.

And for the moment, Platon is off to great places, celebrating his day…Dr. Seuss.