Read Across America Day

Launched in 1998 the National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America was created to celebrate the joys of reading while motivating children to read more. Research has shown that children who spend more time reading perform better in school.

March 2 was chosen as Read Across America observance in honor of Dr. Suess’s (Theodore Giesel) birthday. Suess is the writer best known for children’s books including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Across the country, students, parents, grandparents, teachers, and more come together reading to children. This annual event is the largest celebration of reading the nation has ever seen, encouraging children to gain knowledge through the enjoyment of reading.

The NEA also has a Declaration of Reading Independence which reads in part, “On this day of fireworks and fun, we pause to dream together. We dream of a day when all children know their ABCs before they come to school. We dream of a day when all third graders are reading to learn rather than learning to read. We dream of a day when every American teenager knows the joy of being swept away by the powerful prose of a good book.”

Inspire a child/teen to discover the lifelong enrichment and success of reading!

Remember, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”

Leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or questions!