In the mid of November is the first of Octember

Cotsen Children’s Library plans a Seuss celebration

By: David Campbell
   Saturday is the "First of Octember" at the Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University, the library’s annual celebration of childhood imagination and creative exuberance.
   The event will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cotsen, which is located in Firestone Library on the Princeton campus.
   It takes its name from the 1977 book by Dr. Seuss, "Please Try to Remember the First of Octember," published under the name Theo. LeSieg — an anagram of the author’s real name, Theodor Geisel — and illustrated by Art Cummings.
   The event is free and open to the public.
   It’s also B.Y.O.P. — bring your own parts.
   On the occasion of this peculiar holiday, families will take part in building a "Jook-a-ma-Zoon," named after the fantastic and wondrous device the book’s narrator promises to give to his child listeners when that much-anticipated day — the First of Octember — finally arrives.
   Families are invited to bring their own recycled junk and discarded stuff — be it cardboard tubes, Styrofoam bits, feather dusters, orphaned socks or whatever — for the construction of this collective contraption.
   Cotsen is also inviting participants to bring along their thinking caps, because they will be challenged to help compose "Seussuplets" of Seussian words and rhymes to describe the object and its parts.
   Organizer Cory Alperstein, education and outreach coordinator at Cotsen, said participants are encouraged to bring their recyclables and their imaginations — she’ll provide the string, tape and hardhats.
   "Obviously, we’re undertaking major construction here," she joked this week.
   "I think the book is about giving free range to children’s imaginations — because they have desires for so many things, some real, others full of fancy — and a parent’s wish to be able to respond," Ms. Alperstein continued.
   "Our program at Cotsen is a celebration of the idea that there’s room for fantastical things in the world," she said.
   The First of Octember — that fantastic day when the most out-of-this-world things children can possibly imagine will finally be theirs — could take place anytime in the year. "It could be in October, or maybe November or December," Ms. Alperstein said. "But we’ve chosen the 19th of November."
   Saturday’s event is for families with children from 4 to 9 years of age. No registration is necessary, but people are encouraged to call ahead to help give organizers a sense of how many plan to attend. To do so, contact Ms. Alperstein at (609) 258-2697.