Sign says don't do that with the cat

You should expect a little naughtiness when you pay homage to the embodiment of childhood mischief.

Yet Naperville library officials are taking no chances with the new Cat in the Hat statue.

Next to the new life-size sculpture of Dr. Seuss' notorious feline troublemaker outside the southern entrance to Nichols Library is a sign warning visitors to not climb, sit, hang or write on it.

"You know, I really didn't think about the irony of that," said library board President John Knobloch. "I guess it's a case of do what I say, not as the Cat does."

Just like the rascally cat might find, opportunity proves to be too alluring to some.

Minus three whiskers, the Century Walk's 31st public art project was dedicated Monday afternoon.

"That happens," said a nonplussed Brand Bobosky, president of Century Walk Corp. "And the biggest trouble with this kind of thing comes from adults."

Despite the early chicanery with the sculpture, library officials suspect the public will be kind to it. There are three other public art pieces that call Nichols Library home, and officials have reported few problems with them.

But none of the other pieces depict iconic characters of children's literature. Thus, the need for the warning sign, officials said.

"It can take a lot as a bronze sculpture," Knobloch said, "but we don't want to press our luck."

Initially, library officials had hoped to store the sculpture indoors until its permanent home -- a plaza outside the new library parking deck -- is complete.

But the sheer size of the monument and the fact it's intended to be an outdoor sculpture prompted Century Walk and library officials to leave it outside the door, as if the impish cat is heading into the library to pick up a book from the children's section.

"There's probably nothing more appropriate than the Cat in the Hat at the library," Bobosky said.

Paid for mostly with city culture fund dollars, the $110,000 sculpture also received private donations, including an undisclosed sum from Naperville Unit District 203 Superintendent Alan Leis. While embarrassed by the declaration of his endowment, Leis also came clean with another secret.

"I'm probably the only sitting superintendent with their own Cat in the Hat costume," he said. "I have a real affection for the Cat in the Hat and I'm just so thrilled he and I are both here in Naperville."

The sculpture is only one of nine created of the beloved Seuss character and the only one being publicly displayed, Bobosky said.

This is the first public art piece presented by Century Walk that is not tied to the city's history in some way. Bobosky said the group has expanded its focus and may purchase other works in the future that aren't influenced by the city's past.

But the group currently is focusing on a mural for a building in Fredenhagen Park downtown and a sculpture depicting philanthropists Harold and Margaret Moser, Bobosky said.

He is expected to present the group's future projects at a city council culture fund workshop later this month.