CHS Blog

Read Across America

Read Across America
Posted on February 28, 2017 by CHS

“You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.”

-Anita Merina

 

For twenty years children across the nation have celebrated Read Across America. It is typically celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, which is March 2nd. The National Education Association (NEA) created this annual event to increase children’s motivation to read and inform parents about the importance of reading to young children. It is celebrated in schools, libraries, and other organizations nation-wide.

This is also a day to celebrate Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by the name of Dr. Seuss, and his books. He wrote his first book And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street in 1937, and his works continue to delight children of all ages today. The forty-four books he wrote and illustrated for children contain unique and memorable characters such as The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, the Grinch, the Sneetches, and Horton.

These whimsical characters teach children about letters, numbers, trying new foods, manners, love, friendship, cooperation, ecology, the importance of being yourself, cultural diversity, discrimination, and creativity. The rhyming style that is typical of Dr. Seuss books encourages children to explore the sound and rhythm of language, and also makes them a favorite to read out loud.

Visit your local public library to participate in a reading event or story time and check out Dr. Seuss books you can read with your child. To find the library nearest you, click here.

Here are a few easy ways to celebrate reading Dr. Seuss with your child:

  • Read the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham, then add a little green food coloring to your scrambled egg batter to actually make green eggs.
  • If your child is able to read, make a video of her reading her favorite Dr. Seuss book and send it to friends and family on March 2nd.
  • Read The Lorax and then visit a nearby park to sit outside and draw pictures of trees. You can also take pictures of trees to create a tree book.
  • Read Oh The Places You’ll Go and then draw or write about your favorite place to visit.
  • Read If I Ran the Zoo and then draw pictures and make up stories about the animals you would have in your zoo. What would their names be? What would they eat? What noise would they make? Where did they come from?
  • Read the book Horton Hears a Who! Talk to your child about the book’s theme, “a person’s a person, no matter how small!” and discuss what it means to help people. Ask your child to share about the times he has been helpful.

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