Happy 112th Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 5 Seuss Quotes that Hit the Right Notes

LOS ANGELES, CA - It's the 112th birthday of "Dr. Seuss" author Ted Geisel, and celebrations will be held around the nation and throughout the Southland with Read Across America Day.

The world's most influential children's author didn't become a household name overnight. His first book was rejected 27 times before he found a publisher willing to take a risk on Dr. Suess.

To get you in the Dr. Seuss frame of mind, we've put together five of his most inspirational quotes courtesy of Bightdrops.com:

• “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
• “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
• “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
• “Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.”
• "You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!”

Geisel was born March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and first used the pen name Dr. Seuss on a cartoon in the Saturday Evening Post in 1927.

His first book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was published 10 years later -- after 27 rejections. He penned classics like "Green Eggs and Ham" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that became staples for young readers.

He died in 1991.

The National Education Association launched Read Across America on his birthday seven years later. The program promotes the importance of reading to school children.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian and LAUSD board member Scott Schmerelson will take part in a Read Across America event at Rio Vista Elementary School in North Hollywood, while a Read Across America ceremony will be held at the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro, beginning a month-long book drive.

A slate of actors and actress will take part in an event at Lindbergh Elementary School in Lynwood. Among those reading to children will be Aarti Mann ("The Big Bang Theory"), Nina Siemaszko ("The West Wing"), Alexandra Barreto ("The Fosters"), Marieve Herington ("How I Met Your Mother"), Jennifer R. Blake ("The Bar"), Donis Leonard ("House of Lies") and Jadon Sand ("The Lego Movie").

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Wikimedia Commons