Zoo School Students Served Green Eggs and Ham

At Lowry Park Zoo School's Friday morning snack time, cheese sticks, pudding cups and crackers gave way to scrambled eggs, star-shaped ham steak and fruit salad. 

The eggs had green food coloring in it, but the kids didn't seem to mind. It was the final day of their observation of Dr. Seuss Week, a curriculum that marks the March 2 birthday of the late popular children's author. Friday's theme was Green Eggs and Ham, referring to one of Seuss' top-selling books. 

And so Ernie Locke, co-owner of , and his head chef Suzanne Crouch set up in a classroom and served from Sterno-heated chafing dishes filled with the eggs and ham, plus fruit salad, croissants with raspberry butter, and green-colored frittatas with zucchini, ham, asiago, provolone, fontina and parmesan.  

So much for PB & J. 

"Ms. Leslie told me it was Dr. Seuss week," Locke said, referring to a Zoo School teacher. "I come from a family of teachers, so we were very adamant that we could do all that we can to help out here. Last year the teachers had to provide all the green eggs and ham."

Students of the 13 classroom facility, which serves children from 18 months through pre-kindergarten adjacent to , feasted on the Ella's wares outside on picnic benches. 

"It's incredible having Ella's here today," said Dana Pena, Zoo School early childhood education manager. "The kids really loved the food shapes. I saw the kids eating a lot more than with last year's green eggs and ham day. (Locke and Crouch) are a little better cooks than the teachers are."

After finishing seconds, Locke's 3-year-old son Henry, himself a Zoo School student, ran up to his father. After being hoisted up, he wrapped his arms around daddy's neck and said, "Thank you for doing this."