Read Across America
In 1998, the National Education Association (NEA) launched Read Across America, the nation's largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read. The NEA offers a list of titles and resources which reflect students' interests, as well as introduce them to new places and characters that could be different from their own.
Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, which is the birthday of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Most schools celebrate on the school day closest to March 2, while community centers, libraries, and museums may celebrate over the entire week. During this time, teachers, librarians, and students everywhere will wear tall striped top hats and red ties. They will read books about a cat who is not quite cut out to be a babysitter, or possibly an elephant who saves a teeny, tiny town.
Theodor Geisel is most known for his children's books, but he worked as a commercial illustrator for almost twenty years. He worked on the FLIT insecticide advertising campaign, created political cartoons for the New Your newspaper, and illustrated posters for the U>S. government during World War II. No matter the literary venue, it is hard to miss the distinct style in Theodor Geisel's work.
When Geisel did, in 991 Bob Chase, who was the NEA president at the time said, "we are calling for every child in every school in every community to be in the company of a book on Read Across America Day, in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday."
In President Joe Biden's Read Across America Day Proclamation, he said, "The key to developing your learners into engaged, active and innovated thinkers is instilling in them a lobe of reading at an early age. Reading is the gateway to countless skills and possibilities - it sets children on the path to a lifetime of discovery."
Help us celebrate Read Across America Day by stopping by your local library and checking out a book to read. The CMRLS libraries have several special events planned for you to enjoy.
Harrisville: Dr. Seuss Birthday Party, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. This is a family program.
Flowood: Dr. Seuss Story Time and Butter Making, March 1 at 6:00 p.m. and March 5 at 1:00 p.m. This is a family program.
Raleigh: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Story Time, March 1 at 11:00 a.m. This is a preschool program.
Forest: Dr. Seuss Read Across America Celebration March 2 at 4:00 p.m. This program will be for children from Kindergarten age to fourth grade.
Pearl: Dr. Seuss Story Time, March 2 at 10:00 a.m. This is a preschool program.
Pearl: Dr. Seuss Story Time, March 2 at 4:00 p.m. This program will be for children from kindergarten age to fourth grade.
Lake: Read Across America Story Time, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. This program will be for preschool children.
Florence: Dr. Seuss Story Time, March 2 at 11:00 a.m. Preschool and March 3 at 4:00 p.m. for children kindergarten age to fourth grade.
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