National Read Across America Day

Read Across America Day bursts with enthusiasm as it brings the joys of reading to the forefront of communities nationwide. This special day encourages everyone, young and old, to dive into books and discover the diverse tapestry of stories that mirror and reshape our world.

How to Celebrate ​​​Read Across America Day

Read Across America Day is all about celebrating the joys of reading in fun and engaging ways. Here are some quirky and playful ideas to mark the occasion:

Costume Capers

Encourage everyone to come dressed as their favorite literary character. This can turn any reading session into a whimsical parade of beloved figures from children’s classics to epic fantasy heroes​​.

Map Your Reading Journey

Create a large map of the United States—or even a world map—and challenge participants to read a book from each state or country.

Mark each location on the map as you go, creating a visual representation of your literary journey​.

Invite Mystery Guests

Organize a ‘Masked Reader’ event where guest readers disguise their identity, and listeners guess who is behind the mask after listening to a story. This can add an element of surprise and excitement to storytime​​.

Host a Book Tasting

Set up a book tasting event where kids can sample different books, flip through them, and note what catches their interest.

It’s like a wine tasting but with books! This encourages kids to explore genres and authors they might not otherwise consider​.

Literary Scavenger Hunt

Prepare a scavenger hunt with clues hidden inside books or related to certain stories.

Kids can solve riddles or find items that relate to various books, combining reading with problem-solving and active play​.

Why Celebrate Read Across America Day?

From school classrooms to local libraries, this day unites millions in a shared love for reading, offering new perspectives and fostering a sense of inclusion through literature.

Why celebrate such a day? It’s simple: reading is a powerful tool for education and imagination. It introduces us to new ideas and cultures, expands our understanding, and builds connections across communities.

Read Across America particularly emphasizes the importance of diverse books, which help children see themselves in stories and learn about others different from them. This inclusivity not only nurtures empathy but also cultivates a richer, more engaged society of readers.

The initiative, spearheaded by the National Education Association, goes beyond just a day-long event. It’s a year-round endeavor to promote reading as essential to child development and community bonding.

It calls on parents, teachers, and community leaders to play active roles in making reading a fun and beneficial part of daily life. Together, they create an environment where reading is celebrated as an exciting adventure that everyone can join.

History of Read Across America Day

​​Read Across America Day, initiated by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, is dedicated to promoting the joy of reading among children and adults alike.

The idea was conceived by the NEA in 1997 to create a special day that would foster a love of reading and address the concern that not all children had the same level of access to reading resources.

The date chosen for this celebration was March 2nd, aligning it with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a beloved children’s book author, which helped anchor the day’s festive spirit​.

The event quickly became the nation’s largest celebration of reading. It focuses not only on the act of reading but also on making literature accessible and engaging for children of diverse backgrounds.

It encourages schools, libraries, and community groups across the United States to participate by hosting book-related events. This could include read-alongs, book fairs, and even creative dress-up events that celebrate characters from children’s literature.

As Read Across America evolved, it broadened its focus from celebrating Dr. Seuss’s works to emphasizing a diverse range of books that reflect the varied experiences and stories within communities.

This shift aims to ensure all children can see themselves in the stories they read, thereby fostering a more inclusive approach to reading. This celebration now serves as a year-round program that not only promotes reading on this day but incorporates reading activities into everyday learning.