On Mar. 6, the students at the Avery School had an afternoon of celebration to recognize Dr. Seuss’s birthday and World Read Aloud Day.

The afternoon began as the students enjoyed music by the Roots Music Collective: The Roots of American Music.

They learned the origins of American popular music and how its roots teach us about cultural identity in the United States. This group is part of the Young Audiences of Massachusetts and is supported by a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

After the performance, the students who came dressed as their favorite book character introduced themselves and their characters. The students chosen with the most creative costumes were:

Grade 1: Dylan Strickland as Pikachu, from Pokemon

Grade 2: Stephen Smolak as Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Grade 3: (tie) Brooke Colleton as Amelia Bedelia and Mya Runyan as Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

Grade 4: Yahaira Torres as Esmeralda, from the Hunchback of Notre Dame

Grade 5: Francesca Gentile as Fern and Nhi Vo as Wilber, both from Charlotte’s Web

For the staff, the king and queen of characters, the winners were Ms. Sarah Hausman as Fancy Nancy and Mr. Ed Paris as Harry Potter!

At the end of the day the students returned to their classrooms where they were treated to stories read by 30 members of the Dedham High School Basketball Team. Team members chose books and read to each classroom. Avery students enjoyed books and discussions with their special guests. It certainly was a fun filled afternoon.