Special events, dress up days, and visits from an assortment of guests who will read aloud children books made famous by Dr. Seuss and others is happening this week.

It’s all part Read Across America at the Manteca Unified School District.

The NEA’s Read Across America Day is Thursday, March 2. It celebrates the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel – the children’s author of Cat in the Hat  — who was born on that day in 1904.

According to MUSD, school across the district will be celebrating the event that encourage early literacy throughout this week.

The festivities are designed to further cultivate the love of reading, promoting individual student success, and celebrating diversity.

Today (Feb. 28), Golden West Elementary School, beginning at 8:15 a.m., will be having dress up day along with a pancake breakfast, and board President Marie Freitas, who is a former teacher at the school, as the guest reader.

On Wednesday, Joshua Cowell Elementary will have officers from the California Highway Patrol as guest readers.

A dress up parade is planned for Friday at Brock Elliot Elementary School and Lathrop Elementary beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

For more information, log on to www.mantecausd.net.