FEBRUARY 28, 2005

On Thursday, March 2, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will escort a special feline visitor into two area schools to share the joy of reading with students as part of the National Education Association’s "Read Across America" campaign.

Land and the Cat in the Hat, one of the most beloved Dr. Seuss characters, will first visit Madison Middle School, 1050 Iroquois, Grand Rapids, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Land will read Kathy-jo Wargin’s "The Legend of the Petoskey Stone" to Liesha Crawford and Denise Downs’ sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes of physically and otherwise health-impaired students.

Following their visit to Madison Middle School, Land and the mischievous hatted cat will travel to Allegan County for a stop at Hamilton Elementary School, 3472 M-40, Hamilton, from 10: 30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. They will share Wargin’s "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" with three fourth-grade classes of Sharon Koeman, Sara Tracy and Bill Mousel.

"I look forward to meeting with young people because their imaginations and curiosity are unlimited," said Land, who visits schools each year to celebrate March as Reading Month. "It’s always great fun to talk with them and exchange ideas. I also appreciate the opportunity to impress upon them the importance of reading in school and life."

"Read Across America" is a literacy campaign calling for children everywhere to be in the company of a book. Initially created as a one-day event to celebrate reading on Dr. Seuss' birthday, March 2, "Read Across America" has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day.

Wargin is a nationally acclaimed author of children’s books. Her other published works include "The Legend of Mackinac Island," "The Legend of the Loon" and "The Legend of the Lady’s Slipper."