Dr. Seuss's birthday celebrated by Michelle Obama, schoolchildren across America

The 100th anniversary Theodor Seuss Geisel commemorative postage stamp.

The words of Theodor Seuss Geisel thrill and delight like few other children's tales. His universe -- a kaleidoscope-colored wonderland -- lets cats in hats cause mayhem, loyal elephants hatch eggs and mysterious creatures call Loraxes fight environmental ruin.

In his 48 books, he tied up tidy moral lessons in bright, ridiculous packaging. Rather than extolling on the virtues of experimentation, he offered up a plate of "Green Eggs and Ham" so many times his character finally relented and learned to love it. Instead of praising the spirit of Christmas, he sent in a Grinch to steal it, only to let his readers learn by the end of the book that the holiday has the power to melt even the coldest of hearts.

He was a magician, a poet, a Pied Piper of the imagination. Wednesday marks the 107th anniversary of his birth. In celebration of the children's author, 14 years ago, the day was designated the "Read Across America Day." Michelle Obama will be reading Seuss classics at the Library of Congress, and smaller readings will take place across the country.

Here's to Dr. Seuss. Thank you for making my childhood richer. If you've been without Dr. Seuss in your life for some time, just listen to his book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" No matter the age, it's always the right time to hear it.

"Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!/There are points to be scored. there are games to be won./And the magical things you can do with that ball/will make you the winning-est winner of all."

By Melissa Bell  | March 2, 2011; 8:34 AM ET
Categories:  The Daily Catch