Dr. Seuss Poems, Short Book Excerpts For Kids On His Birthday, Read Across America Day

RTREZFV — Hundreds of youngsters await a live reading of "The Cat in the Hat" during a ceremony honoring author and artist Dr. Seuss in 2004. Below are a few of his most famous poems. Reuters

Read Across America Day is the perfect opportunity to revisit some of your favorite Dr. Seuss writings. Whether you prefer “Green Eggs and Ham” or “The Cat in the Hat,” make sure you make time to rhyme on Monday in celebration of the author’s would-be 111^th birthday.

No books on hand? We’ve got you covered. Here are poems and excerpts from some of Dr. Seuss’ best works, courtesy of Seussville and Early Moments:

"How did it get so late so soon?

It’s night before it’s afternoon.

December is here before it’s June.

My goodness, how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?"

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the guy who’ll decide where to go."

"Waiting for the fish to bite

Or waiting for wind to fly a kite.

Or waiting around for Friday night

Or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake

Or a pot to boil or a better break

Or a string of pearls or a pair of pants

Or a wig with curls or another chance.

Everyone is just waiting."

“Young cat! If you keep

Your eyes open enough,

Oh, the stuff you will learn!

The most wonderful stuff!”

“Unless someone like you

Cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better.

It’s not.”

“If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do? If you’d never been born, well then what would you be? You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree! You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes! You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes. Or worse than all that… why, you might be a WASN’T! A Wasn’t has no fun at all. No, he doesn’t. A Wasn’t just isn’t. He just isn’t present. But you… you ARE YOU! And, now isn’t that pleasant!”

“Look at me!

Look at me!

Look at me NOW!

It is fun to have fun

But you have

to know how.”

“So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

And remember that Life’s

a Great Balancing Act.”