This year marks the fourteenth annual celebration of reading and Dr. Seuss’s birthday! As NEA’s Read Across America Day gears up, community members are asked to put aside the many hats they wear for work and play and don the ultimate reading hat, the red and white striped stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat, on March 2.
To add to the celebration, the 2012 theme is GREEN.  NEA’s Read Across America campaign will showcase the Lorax book as well as NBC/Universal’s The Lorax (featuring the voices of Taylor Swift, Zach Efron, Danny Devito and Betty White). For a sneak peek, here’s the latest trailer. The film opens nationwide March 2, 2012 and Universal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Random House have joined NEA’s Read Across America, creating new posters and classroom guides for the NEA campaign.
Be a part of this flurry (or furry) of reading excitement! Get involved in supporting children’s literacy in our community:
- Since this NEA supported endeavor is designed to put every child in the company of a book, take the opportunity to read and enjoy! Read to a child in your life.
- Help set a good example. Contact a local preschool or Head Start program and volunteer with your child to share a story with younger children.
- Bring children to your public library. From story hours for toddlers to career planning for teens, the library has something for everyone.
- Make sure those who are in need have plenty to read. Donate books to local organizations.
- Resolve to make March 2 the first of many days you volunteer to read at a school, afterschool program, community center, library, or daycare facility. You can make a difference to future generations of readers.
NEA estimates that last year almost 45 million children and adults celebrated the joy of reading on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. This year they hope to bring a nation of readers together to really drive home the message about of the importance of reading.