As part of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge to promote literacy, kids sailing aboard Carnival Cruise Line this summer read an astonishing 213 million Dr. Seuss words through fun, educational activities across the line’s 26-ship fleet, helping to surpass the goal of 100 million Dr. Seuss words read during the campaign.
Events were highlighted by book readings to local children by New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson aboard Carnival Triumph in New Orleans and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kike Hernandez in Long Beach. Donning Dr. Seuss’ signature striped hat, Watson and Hernandez gave spirited readings of the new Dr. Seuss classic “What Pet Should I Get?” while extolling the benefits of reading to hundreds of kids from local summer camps and social service organizations.
Young cruisers sailing on Carnival ships in June and July were also encouraged to read as many Dr. Seuss words as possible during summertime book reading sessions on board and then log their words and monitor their progress using a word tracker on Seussville.com. Children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee – one of Carnival’s favorite charitable partners – also participated and were treated to a special reading of “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by hospital survivors.
All those who registered and entered their Dr. Seuss word count at Seussville.com before July 31 were also eligible to win a free Carnival cruise.
Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge is part of Seuss at Sea, Carnival’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that showcases the wonderful words and world of the famous children’s author through family-oriented entertainment, youth activities and dining experiences. Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books launched the first-ever Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge on May 29. Readers responded so quickly to the campaign and original goal of reading 20 million Dr. Seuss words that the goal was increased and expanded it to an incredible 100 million word goal.
“Carnival Cruise Line is the leader in family cruising carrying more than 800,000 kids a year and we’re very proud to be the Official Seagoing Partner of Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge which serves to reinforce the importance of reading – even on vacation – in a fun and creative way,” said Caroline Lombardi, director of youth programming for Carnival Cruise Line.
Added Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, “Our Dr. Seuss’s Word Challenge was one of our most successful literacy promotion programs ever and hats off to the kids of Carnival Cruise Line for doing their part and helping us surpass our goal by reading an amazing 213 million words at sea.”
Launched in 2014, Seuss at Sea has become one of the most popular children’s program in the travel industry and includes such fun activities as The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends and the Seuss-a-Palooza Parade and Story Time, as well as character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games, and popular movies shown on board.
Dr. Seuss Bookville, a vibrant and colorful family reading venue, is also featured on select ships, including the new Carnival Horizon which debuted this year and also offers the first-ever Dr. Seuss water park at sea.
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