James Burks, Firefighters Read to Kids

Schools across the U.S. celebrated Dr. Seuss' 108th birthday Friday as part of the National Education Foundation's "Read Across America." As part of the celebration, James Burks, author of Gabby and Gator, and several members of the took time out of their days to read to students at in North Redondo Beach.

Burks, whose Gabby and Gator was chosen by the California Teachers Association to represent the 2012 Read Across America Program, read Gabby and Gator and his newest book, Beep and Bah, to third-grade students.

"It's been fun," Burks told Redondo Beach Patch. He also said that the CTA chose Gabby and Gator as one of its two flagship books because they thought it suited this year's theme of "sink your teeth into a good book."

In addition to his enthusiastic reading of the book, Burks also showed students his sketchbook and drew them a picture of Gabby, Gator, Beep and Bah.

Burks has worked as an artist for Disney, Warner Brothers and Nickelodeon on projects like the Emperor's New Groove, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Fan Boy, the Iron Giant and Treasure Planet, among others.

Later in the day, several firefighter-paramedics from Fire Station No. 2 read Dr. Seuss classics to children.

For some of the firefighters, it was their first time reading to children; for others, it had become an annual event.

"I love the interaction with the kids," said firefighter-paramedic Darren Mallabon. "I love to get them riled up and stuff."

Check out the gallery above for photos and video clips of Burks and the firefighters reading to children!