Read Across America Day

In honor of the good doctor, Theodor Seuss Geisell, the National Education Association celebrates Read Across America on his birthday, March 2nd.  Because that was on Sunday, it was moved to today, March 3rd. In our neck of the woods, there are a lot of schools closed, so I expect this day may be celebrated tomorrow in many classrooms.  Regardless of where and when it is celebrated, the focus is the same… Read!  The NEA offers teachers and parents ideas and materials to celebrate and encourage reading.  There are traditional events, Wear a Hat to School, Green Eggs and Ham luncheons, One Fish Two Fish swimming Blue Jello, etc.

I’d like to take a minute and quote some of his lesser celebrated books, and some of my favorites. Especially for an older child, these books are intended to offer food for thought as well as entertainment.

Five Lessons I’ve Learned from Dr. Seuss    (listed alphabetically by title)

‘Every year the same four things!  I’m mighty tired of those old things!  I want something NEW to come down!’  and   ‘Even kings can’t rule the sky.’  Bartholomew and the Oobleck

 ‘A person’s a person, no matter how small.’  Horton Hears a Who!

‘Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more.’  How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.’   The Lorax

‘I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights.’  Yertle, the Turtle

I spent 30 years in education, encouraging reading in classrooms. Today I’m using Read Across America to encourage reading among adults.  I have piles of novels stacked on shelves and on the floor that I’ve been meaning to organize, someday.  Today is the day!  Today, I organize and sort.  Today these books are going into two piles Keep and Give-away.  It’s time to spread my love for reading with adults who haven’t developed that love, or who would love to have their own books in their own homes.  Maybe this small act will encourage an adult to pick up a book and read.