The idea for a day to celebrate reading was first thought up by a group called the National Education Association, also called the NEA. They first brought up the idea to have a special reading day in 1997. A lot of people really like the idea and just a year later, in 1998, the First Read Across America Day was held. Read Across America is a day to celebrate the joys of reading. It also brings awareness to the importance of reading in education and helps to motivate kids to read more. They decided to have the day on Dr. Seuss birthday, March 2. Dr. Seuss is one of the great authors of children’s books. Most kids have grown up reading his many entertaining books such as Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax and Horton Hears a Who! My favorite book is Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
Fun Facts About Read Across America Day
- Research shows that if you read or are read to, you do better in school.
- Movie stars from The Lorax movie, Zac Efron and Danny DeVito, took part in the Read Across America kickoff in 2012. They both read from Dr. Seuss books.
- Singer Taylor Swift took part in the Read for Trees program was a part of the day in 2012.
- The average person reads around 200 to 250 words per minute.
Things You Can Do On This Day
- Read to your child.
- Read to your child.
- Read to your child.
Dr. Seuss’ real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel. A grandson of German immigrants, Theodor (without an “e”) was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1904. Seuss was his mother’s maiden name. Dr. Seuss passed away in September 1991 at the age of 87. He would have been 116 on his birthday.
Jeanne Brown
Easterseals Parent Educator
Bradley Office
