I have to admit that my awakening to literature didn’t arrive through the genius of Theodor Seuss Geisel — known the world over by his pen name Dr. Seuss — but through the “Dick and Jane” elementary school reading series, a post-World War II depiction of the traditional two parents, two children and their beloved dog, “Spot.” A series that remained firmly staid, suburban and tame — in both word and picture.

Fortunately, I fell in love with my first-grade teacher, Miss Edmunds — and she, I’m sure, with me. So, when I first felt rather than simply spelled out the banal sentences “Look at Spot. Look at Spot run.” I raised my eyes to Miss Edmunds, fell in love all over again, and have been running with “Spot” ever since.

Those few paragraphs are my towering testament to the place of Miss Edmunds in my life both in and out of books.

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