NEA Read Across America Logo

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

On March 2, students across the United States will celebrate and encourage reading. March 2 also happens to be Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Let’s all celebrate learning and reading together. What’s your school doing for Read Across America?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Contact your local school, library, or bookstore to see if they are planning an event that you can attend. Visit your school’s librarian and check out a new book of interest to you.
• In celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday read some of his books. Here are a few to get you started:
  • The Lorax
  • Horton Hears a Who!
  • Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
• Choose from these highlighted books recommended by the National Education Association for Black History month in February:
  • Young Reader – Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis by Jabari Asim, illustrations by E.B. Lewis
  • Middle Grade Readers – One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem
  • Renaissance by Nikki Grimes
  • Young Adult Readers – Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Shadra Strickland.

For more book suggestions, here is the NEA’s Read Across America Educator Recommended Books of 2016-2017.

Here are some local schools that are planning events for Read Across America Week this week.

Edmonds School District

Bryn Mawr Elementary School in Renton

Let us know how your school is planning to celebrate. Leave a comment down below.

Be sure to keep the reading going for more than just this event. Reading allows the imagination to fly, allows you to time-travel to the past or future, and see the world through other’s eyes. Books can teach empathy, respect, and compassion.