From “Cat in the Hat” hats and bow ties to “Horton Hears a Who” egg races, kids celebrated the life of one of the best-known children’s authors Monday at the Albert Lea Public Library.

The library held its annual Dr. Seuss celebration in conjunction with what would have been Theodor Seuss Geisel’s 105th birthday. The author published more than 60 children’s books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of trisyllabic meter.

“I love his work, especially his ‘Easy Readers,’” said children’s librarian Patti Greibrok. “His stories were written for a reason, and they’re easy to listen to. He made them easy for a child to read. He understood children.”

Greibrok said she also loves the life lessons many of his books teach. She said she gives the gift of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” to graduating seniors she knows.

Some of Dr. Seuss’ best known books are: “The Cat in the Hat,” “The Cat in the Hat Comes Back,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Horton Hears a Who,” “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “The Lorax.”

At the library, kids could do four Seuss-related crafts: a “Cat in the Hat” hat, a bowtie, a fish bowl and a crazy animal in a cage — as in “And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street.”

Kids could also get a star (as in Star-Bellied Sneeches), do an egg relay, pin the bowtie on the Cat in the Hat and get their faces painted.

There was a prize drawing at the end of the celebration.

A special display in the front of the children’s library highlights Dr. Seuss’ books and makes them easy to find — a check out to read all over again.