Happy Read Across America Day!
Today is all about celebrating reading—the kind that opens minds, sparks curiosity, and takes us on incredible journeys. From the first word to the last, reading is a way to connect, learn, and explore the world around us. Curious how you can celebrate this special day? Let’s dive into why today is the perfect day to embrace reading in every form!
What is Read Across America Day?
Read Across America Day is a nationwide celebration that takes place every year on March 2nd, in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. It’s a day to celebrate reading in all its forms, and to encourage children, teens, and adults to read for pleasure, to learn, and to explore the vast world of stories. Whether it’s a favorite storybook, a comic, or even a menu at your local restaurant, Read Across America Day celebrates all kinds of reading!
Why Do We Celebrate Read Across America Day?
We celebrate Read Across America Day to promote literacy, foster a love of reading, and recognize the power that books and stories have in shaping our lives. Dr. Seuss is a beloved figure known for creating books that made reading fun and accessible for children, and this day honors his legacy.
The goal is to encourage kids to read more, learn more, and develop a lifelong love for books. This day also helps to create awareness about the importance of reading skills—a crucial building block for future success in education and life.
How to Celebrate Read Across America Day?
There are so many ways you can celebrate Read Across America Day, whether you’re at home, in the classroom, or part of a community event. Here are some fun ideas:
Read Together
Get your kids, friends, or family together and read aloud from your favorite books! Whether it’s a Dr. Seuss classic or a new favorite, reading aloud is a fun way to celebrate.
Dress Up as Your Favorite Book Character
Encourage kids (or even adults!) to dress up as their favorite book character. It's a creative and fun way to bring stories to life!
Host a Book Swap
Organize a book swap with friends, family, or your local community. Everyone can bring their favorite books to exchange and discover new reads!
Start a Read-A-Thon
See how many pages or books you can read in a day! You can make it a friendly competition among friends or family, or even challenge your kids to beat their own reading record.
Create a Reading Challenge
Set up a challenge to read a certain number of pages or books within a month, and offer fun rewards for achieving those reading goals!
Visit a Local Library
Celebrate with a trip to your local library. Libraries often host special events, reading circles, or storytelling sessions to help spread the reading love! Also, get your child their own library card. Checking out books is even more fun with your own library card!
Do a Read-Aloud for Your Class
Teachers can host read-aloud sessions in the classroom, where they read fun books to students. You can even bring in guest readers to make it more exciting!
Any Kind of Reading Counts!
One of the best parts of Read Across America Day is that ANY kind of reading counts! The more we read, the more we grow, so don’t limit yourself to just books. Here’s a long list of things that count as reading:
- Books (fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, or any genre you like!)
- Comics (superhero comics, funny strips, or graphic novels)
- Magazines (fashion, cooking, sports, or science magazines)
- Newspapers (local, national, or online news)
- Menus (reading the menu at your favorite restaurant)
- Recipes (when you try a new dish, you're reading!)
- Instruction Manuals (for assembling furniture, gadgets, or even DIY projects)
- Catalogs (clothing catalogs, home decor, etc.)
- Letters and Emails (checking and reading your mail and inbox)
- Text Messages (chatting with friends counts as reading too!)
- Social Media Posts (reading posts and captions)
- Blogs (like the one you’re reading right now!)
- Signage (reading signs, street names, or posters while out and about)
- Packaging (labels on products or packages)
- Online Articles (like this one, or any digital publication)
- Audiobooks (listening to stories is still reading!)
- Story Apps for Kids (interactive story apps or eBooks)
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My Friends and I Friendship Book (My Friends and I isn’t just any book—it’s a friendship book that lets kids read about their friends, family, classmates, teachers, coaches, anyone special in their life. It’s like a personalized adventure, where kids can discover fun facts about the people around them!)
- Reviews (product reviews or movie reviews. Read—and leave— reviews of our My Friends and I book here or on Amazon!)
Basically, if there are words involved, it counts as reading! The more variety in reading, the more fun it is. So grab whatever reading material excites you today—no book is off-limits!
Where to Get Reading Material?
If you’re wondering where to get the perfect reading material for Read Across America Day, here are some great places to start:
Local Libraries
Libraries are a goldmine for books, magazines, and even audiobooks. Plus, they often offer special events and activities around Read Across America Day.
Bookstores
Whether it’s your favorite local bookstore or a national chain, bookstores offer a wide range of reading materials for all ages.
Online Retailers
Websites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Book Depository allow you to easily browse for new books, eBooks, and audiobooks for all ages.
E-books and Audiobooks
Don’t forget about digital options! Kindle, Audible, or Libby (via your library) offer access to thousands of books and audiobooks, perfect for digital reading.
Book Subscription Boxes
Sign up for a monthly book box that delivers new reading material directly to your doorstep. It’s a fun surprise to look forward to each month!
Apps for Kids
There are plenty of kid-friendly apps that offer interactive stories, audiobooks, and educational reading materials. Apps like Epic! or Storytime can be a great way for kids to read while using tech!
Let’s Keep Reading Going!
As we celebrate Read Across America Day, remember: reading is for everyone! It doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you’re enjoying it and learning from it. So whether you’re reading a book, a comic, or a recipe, keep the reading going all year long!
Let's spread the joy of reading, ignite young imaginations, and continue to celebrate the power of stories today and every day!