Hundreds of people filled the Oceanside Library for its 13th annual Dr. Seuss and Friends Day, a celebration of reading that has grown into one of the community’s most anticipated family events.
Children clutching goodie bags streamed through the doors last Sunday after checking in at the welcome table, where each young reader received treats to kick off the festivities. Inside, the building buzzed with activity — from crafts and sing-alongs to story times and scavenger hunts — all centered on sparking a love of books.
“Today is really about showing the community the fun in reading, the joy in literacy,” Michelle Samuel, the library’s assistant director, said. “We’re bringing together beloved favorites like Dr. Seuss, but in recent years we really wanted to expand it to stress the importance of literacy. That’s why it’s now Dr. Seuss and Friends Day, so we can tap into other authors and represent the diverse world of literacy.”
In the library’s theater, families gathered for a lively sing-along with the BenAnna Band, which performed silly, rhyming songs. Children laughed and danced as lyrics played on the trademark rhythm and wordplay of Dr. Seuss.
Elsewhere, youngsters lined up for balloon art creations and temporary tattoos, while others folded colorful paper creations in “Origami from the Jungle of Nool,” a workshop blending the Japanese art of paper folding with Seussian-style beasts and exotic animals. Crafting tables offered character-themed shrinky dinks, smart cookie decorating and other hands-on projects.
In the children’s room, participants took part in a scavenger hunt raffle, searching for hidden storybook characters and uncovering a secret message to earn raffle tickets for prizes. Families posed with their favorite characters in a photo booth, while Mirabel, from Disney’s “Encanto,” delighted young fans with a themed story time.
Outside the library, a Book Fairies van collected new and gently used book donations, giving patrons the opportunity to share stories with others beyond the event.
Samuel said that planning for the celebration is a yearlong effort. “Prep starts immediately following this year,” she said. “We have a meeting where we look at what worked, what didn’t and what we want to do going forward. We get a date on the calendar for next year and plan all throughout the year.”
Volunteers begin preparing crafts over the summer, and assemble goodie bags well in advance. The event has grown significantly, Samuel said, particularly since the library moved back into its refurbished building in 2024, but the purpose of the day remains the same.
“While we have added new things, I think the nostalgia of it, and the family feel, is what keeps everybody coming back,” Samuel said. “It really is just a fun family day, something for everyone to enjoy.”
Tony Iovino, the library’s former assistant director, who created the event when he was a volunteer, said it began as a way to energize a then-quiet institution.
“At the time, the library was kind of sleepy and not engaged in the community at all,” Iovino said. “I thought we needed a big event. Kiwanis helped out tremendously, and it was a hit from day one.”
In the years since, he said, Dr. Seuss and Friends Day has expanded to celebrate a number of children’s authors, and a large crowd now gathers to see what the facility has to offer.
“Besides being a fun day, it introduces hundreds of families to the magic of the library,” Iovino said. “The staff continues to provide a delightful experience, all centered around books.”
For families who needed a break from the bustling crowd, a quiet room was available, ensuring that the event remained welcoming and accessible.
With laughter echoing through the halls and children carrying crafts and books, Dr. Seuss and Friends Day once again proved that in Oceanside, reading is anything but boring.
