Today is Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday!

According to the National Education Association (NEA):

“Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

NEA’s Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.

In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA’s Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students’ reading.”

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, along with members of Congress, NEA leaders, and hundreds of local students at the Library of Congress for the national kickoff of Read Across America Day.  (You can gather more information at read.gov.)

Worth noting, through the Library of Congress and a national network of cooperating libraries, the National Library Service (NLS) administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.  Learn more about who is eligible for service and find books and magazines in braille or audio on their website at loc.gov/nls/.

Are you participating in Read Across America Day?  What activities will be included in your celebration?