Children sat on the floor, entranced by the story.

The second-graders from Harmony Elementary giggled, clapped and shouted as an adult read from Dr. Seuss' classic story, "Green Eggs and Ham."

"I do not like them here or there!" the children yelled. "I do not like them anywhere! I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam-I-am!"

Harmony Elementary joined schools across the nation Monday as they participated in Read Across America. The program promotes reading and coincides with the birthday of the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, which was Sunday.

Bob Rathbun, an announcer with the Atlanta Hawks, read to some of the school's students. He encouraged them to read outside of school and explained how important reading is to his job.

Rathbun sat in a rocking chair in the school's media center. A stuffed Cat in the Hat sat in the chair next to him.

Dr. Seuss wrote "The Cat in the Hat" on a challenge from his publisher. The publisher read a national report in 1954 showing most children struggled in reading because the books were too boring.

Out went Dick, Jane, Sally and Spot. In came Horton, the Whos, the Grinch and Sam I Am. Children's books were never the same.