Dr. Seuss, aka Theodore Geisel, the creator of the Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant, is 105 years old and his birthday is being celebrated all over in the world and locally in schools and libraries all this week.

Rocky Heights Elementary School celebrated Seuss’ birthday with a family reading night from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Monday in the school’s library and gymnasium, with birthday cake being served.

“We’re having it conjunction with Read Across America where kids earn points for each book they read,” said Holly Moss Title I reading specialist.

Sunset Elementary School also celebrated Seuss’ birthday on Monday during the day and night with family members being treated to cookies and refreshments.

“During the day students were allowed to wear Dr. Seuss related costumes or pajamas,” said Karen Harris, Sunset Elementary School office assistant.

West Park Elementary School celebrated Monday with an all-school assembly at 1:20 p.m., in the school’s gym.

“Students had the option of dressing up as their favorite characters or in pajamas,” said school secretary Renee Ransom.

Students also got to see fifth grade teacher Cori Applegate, dress up as the Cat in the Hat and read a poem about reading to them.

“Read-ins for students were also held in different classrooms with teachers other than the students own until the end of the day,” Applegate said.

Desert View had its own special celebration at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, holding a family night for Seuss’ birthday, said Rachel Lind Title I Reading Specialist.

“Students got to play computer games on www.seussville.com, and were served birthday cake in the library,” Lind said, adding the students also got a visit from the Cat in the Hat.

But the best part for Desert View’s students came at 6 p.m., when the school’s principal, Mike Scott, was slimed to close out the night.

“The kids were looking forward to it and he (Scott) was a good sport about it,” Lind said.

The Hermiston, Umatilla and Stanfield Public Libraries will also take time to celebrate Seuss’ birthday with events or activities of their own.

In Umatilla, Assistant Librarian Pam Johnson will be reading Dr. Seuss books during the library’s story time and might also do other activities during the week.

Johnson said she may read Dr. Seuss books to elementary school students at McNary Heights Elementary School as well..

At the Stanfield Public Library, Children’s Librarian Cecili Longhorn too will be using Dr. Seuss books for story time this week as well as a special showing of a movie Friday.

“We’re going to be showing “Horton Hears a Who” at noon,” Longhorn said.

The big bash though, will be at 4 p.m. Friday, in the Lanham Room in the Hermiston Public Library.

Children’s Librarian Kelly Martinez said Feb. 27, teens from the Library’s Teen Council will be dressing up as Seuss characters including Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two.

“They’ll be reading stories to kids, so we encourage parents to bring cameras,” said Martinez.

Kids will do Dr. Seuss related craft activities and trivia games.

Dr. Seuss books and artwork from the kids in the Good Shepherd Medical Center’s day care will also be on display in the library, Martinez said.

All these things will lead to the big finish of the evening.

“To top it off we’ll be doing singing happy birthday to Dr. Seuss and having birthday cake afterwards,” she said.

She added that she and Children’s Team members Angie Villegas and Michelle Munro will be decorating throughout week getting ready for the big day, something, she said, is always fun to do.

“It’s been fun making the costumes, and getting things ready to go,” Martinez said.

Dr. Seuss’ birthday usually draws about 60 to 80 kids to the library, but she said if more want to come they’re always welcome.

“The more the merrier,” Martinez said.

The Herald will have fun photos of the different Dr. Seuss activities from the week in its Saturday paper. The Herald also encourages photos from these events to be sent to rdeane@hermistonherald.com in case an event is missed.