Two Upcoming Days Dedicated to Reading
February 20, 2006
Two different celebrations of reading are scheduled for the next couple of months.
I learned from a Target newspaper insert this week about the National Educational Association's upcoming Read Across America Day. "NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around Dr. Seuss's birthday" (March 2nd). Hundreds of local events are planned as part of Read Across America Day. You can look for events in your local community here. Target is promoting the event as part of the Target Ready. Sit. Read! online book club. So, read books on March 2nd, in honor of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss's birthday.
I learned from the Kid's Lit blog about National Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) day. "National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority." This event will be celebrated on April 12th, Beverly Cleary's 90th birthday. The "spokesperson" for the event is Ramona Quimby. In a letter on the D.E.A.R. website, Ramona says: "Because I know so much about it librarians (The Association for Library Service to Children), teachers (the National Education Association), a bunch of parents (National PTA), and some people who make books (HarperCollins Children’s Books) have asked me —Ramona Geraldine Quimby — to be in charge of telling everyone about National Drop Everything and Read Day on April 12." So, read books on April 12th, too, in honor of D.E.A.R, Ramona Quimby, and Beverly Cleary.
So many excuses to read! So many celebrations of books! Happy Reading! -- Jen