The Gazette’s Wuillermin reads to local schools for Read Across America

Courtesy Photos

Gazette Office Manager Jaime Wuillermin, dressed as the Cat in the Hat, visited READ Preschool, Toddler Town and Dynamic Learning Academy on Feb. 29 to read to students as part of Read Across America Week.

Every year, as the office manager of The Hammonton Gazette, I eagerly anticipate my annual adventure donning the iconic attire of the Cat in the Hat. It's a tradition I hold dear, one that brings joy not only to myself but to the young minds I have the pleasure of enchanting with the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.

This year, as I stepped into my son's second-grade classroom, the anticipation bubbled within me. With the familiar red and white stripes adorning my attire, I began to read aloud from "Go Dog Go." The children's eyes sparkled with wonder as we delved into the colorful pages, lost in the delightful antics of the characters.

After the story, I revealed the surprise I had brought – two dozen donuts, eliciting cheers and laughter from the children.  

But my adventure didn't end there. With a skip in my step and a heart full of excitement, I ventured to three other preschools in town: Toddler Town, Read Preschool, and Dynamic Learning Center. At each stop, I brought along a few Dr. Seuss books, ready to ignite the imaginations of the young learners.

From "Go Dog Go" to "Are You My Mother," I immersed the children in the magical worlds crafted by Dr. Seuss. Their laughter filled the room as they followed along with the whimsical tales, their imaginations soaring with each turn of the page.

As the day came to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. Knowing that I had shared the joy of reading and sparked the imaginations of so many young minds filled me with a warmth that lingered long after I hung up my “Cat in the Hat” hat.