It’s time to don the silly Dr. Seuss hat and break out your favorite copy of “The Cat in the Hat.” Read Across America arrives on Friday, and dozens of activities are planned in schools around the Santa Clarita Valley as part of the celebration of reading.

Guest readers will be visiting local elementary schools from Fair Oaks Ranch to Castaic, teaching children the value of reading by modeling that behavior — some with a great amount of gusto.

At classrooms full of older students the guest professionals may discuss the importance of reading in everyday lives — and in the work place.

At Canyon Springs Community School, an aerospace manager and a sheriff’s deputy will be guest readers in the school library.

Past readers at Fair Oaks Ranch Community School have included Tia Mowry from “Sister Sister,” Ryan Seacrest from “American Idol,” Bill Russell from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rick Hearst from “General Hospital.”

Whatever the celebrity status of the guest reader, favored fare for reading to the younger set is Dr. Seuss books. Schoolyards are often peppered with tall, red-and-white-striped “Cat in the Hat”-style headgear.

The nationwide event is sponsored by the National Education Association and pegged to a school day close or on Dr. Seuss’s March 2 birthday anniversary.