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Chandler Arnold, First Book’s executive vice-president, with a student from Belmont Runyon Elementary school in Newark, NJ, at a ‘Read Across America’ event last year.

Read Across America Day is fast approaching; on March 1, children across the country will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reading ‘The Cat in the Hat’ and other childhood favorites.

But, as much as we love Dr. Seuss, the READING part is the important bit. At First Book, we will always line up for cake and ice cream, but books and reading come first. Because kids who read at home become stronger, more capable readers, and that’s the critical ingredient in become successful — in school and in life.

‘Read Across America’ is an annual event sponsored by our friends at the National Education Association (NEA). First Book is proud to do our part for such a critical issue.

Here’s what you can do:

• If you work with kids from low-income families, sign your program or classroom up with First Book. We can help you get new, high-quality books, including (naturally) ‘The Cat in the Hat’ and other Dr. Seuss favorites.
• If your program is already signed up with First Book, visit the First Book Marketplace to get some great Dr. Seuss titles for your kids.
• Take the NEA’s ‘Read Across America’ pledge.

And most importantly of all, take the time to read to a child in your life. You’ll both be glad you did.

Children’s writing contest-winning stories available at free website and iTunes

March 2, 2011 – www.MrsP.com, the popular, award-winning children’s website, will participate in the National Education Association’s Read Across America campaign today by releasing videos of the winners of its 2010 writing contest for kids, and with an in-person appearance by website host Mrs. P (TV star Kathy Kinney) at one of the winners’ schools.

The two grand prize-winning stories of Mrs. P’s Be-A-Famous-Writer contest will be released on iTunes and can be downloaded for free. Mountain Dog, written by Briana Beebe, 8, from Colorado, and Lucky the Bamboo Chopper, by Bill Wang, 12, of Oregon, are bundled together with a total running time of 16:30. Last year, over 20,000 copies of the contest videos were downloaded in just the first day.

In addition, actress Kinney (best known as Mimi on The Drew Carey Show) will bring her quirky Mrs. P character to Rosemont Ridge Middle School in West Linn, OR today to read contest winner Wang’s entry at a special assembly. She will also present Wang with a bound and illustrated copy of his story. Briana Beebe, the winner of the other grand prize, will be one of the featured authors at her own school’s Read Across America program.

Read Across America is an annual event established by the NEA to honor children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Today’s guest blogger is Anita Merina, the National Coordinator for ‘Read Across America’, a National Education Association initiative.

Every year on March 2nd educators, parents, grandparents, athletes, actors, politicians, and kids join together for Read Across America Day to celebrate reading. Now, if you’re thinking, “March 2nd . . . isn’t that someone’s birthday, too?” – you’re right. It’s also, not so coincidentally, the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss!

This year the National Education Association and First Book want to make sure your shelves are stocked with all of Dr. Seuss’ biggest hits for this spectacular day of reading. And to make getting ready easier than ever, we’ve provided four simple steps. All you have to do is follow them and you’ll be on your way to your best day of reading yet.

1. Register your school or program with First Book at www.firstbook.org/register. (If you are already registered, go to step two.)
2. Browse the First Book Marketplace at www.fbmarketplace.org. The Cat in the Hat? Green Eggs and Ham? Hop on Pop? The First Book Marketplace as all these books and more for around $3.00 a book.
3. Order by February 8th to make sure your books arrive in time for Read Across America day.
4. Read, rhyme and smile with your students as they dive into the pages of those classic Dr. Seuss books!

That’s it! See, it’s as easy as getting your straight A students to turn in their homework on time, and a little more fun too.

by Amy M. O’Quinn

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

~Dr. Seuss

Mark your calendar for March 2nd! Why, you may ask? Well, at our home we will celebrate my daughter’s tenth birthday on that day. But other children across America will also be celebrating the birthday of beloved author, Dr. Seuss, as well as participating in ‘Read Across America’, sponsored by the National Education Association.

What is Read Across America?

In 1997, a small task force at NEA came up with the big idea to set aside one day to really celebrate reading and motivate children across the country to pick up a book and read. They wanted the whole event to be exciting and inspiring—and to promote a love of reading. The task force also decided that March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) would be the perfect date. Thus, ‘Read Across America’ was born, and the first annual celebration was held on March 2, 1998.

According the NEA website, “Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.”

How does it work?

Although the NEA created and sponsors ‘Read Across America,’ teachers, parents, librarians, bookstore personnel, and other community volunteers at the local level organize and implement all kinds of exciting events to celebrate reading and get children involved in special literacy activities. There are many great ideas on the NEA/RAA website, as well as state educational association websites. The possibilities are endless.

What child doesn’t love a Dr. Seuss book? The rhythm and rhyme are delightful, and everyone has a favorite. My children enjoyed all the Dr. Seuss books, but they especially liked Green Eggs and Ham, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? and The Cat in the Hat. In fact, they can all recite most of Green Eggs and Ham from memory. Would you? Could you?

When we first began homeschooling, I quickly discovered that Dr. Seuss books were perfect for oral reading practice to enhance fluency. The children loved the nonsensical language, yet they were able to experience reading success because of the simple words, repetition and familiarity of ‘old friends’ they’d known for years. Beginning readers need to feel successful; it motivates them to keep learning. Plus, the stories written by Dr. Seuss are just plain fun, and everyone needs a good giggle or chuckle from time to time.

How Can You Be Involved in Read Across America?

There are events and activities scheduled all over the country—in large cities and small communities. Chances are, the local school system, your child’s teacher, or your neighborhood librarians have already planned some special things for March 2nd. Visit the NEA website or your state educational association to find some fabulous fun near you. Perhaps you may even decide to volunteer or help organize some events.

If you have preschool children or are a homeschooling parent, you can also plan some activities to do with your child at home. Although we advocate reading ALL year long, it is still fun to have a special day to do something just a little bit different.

A Few Simple Ideas:

-Read Green Eggs and Ham—then MAKE green eggs and ham. Add a

Today is Read Across America!! Do you know what that means? Not only is it Dr. Seuss's birthday (all bow down!), it means that
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

Random House and the National Education Association (NEA), (Oh Yeah- and I) urge you to participate in Read Across America today and read to a child. Today really shouldn't be any different than any other day, but it's a great way to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday and make reading cool! The theme for Read Across America 2009 is "Reading is Cool!" So get chillin' and be a part of this year's fun celebration. The cool thing? You can do anything! You can plan a reading event, maybe include guest readers, compete in reading challenges, take part in breakfast read-ins and book drives, or you can simply just pick up a book and read with a child. Parents can pick up a book and read with their children. Older children can read to younger children. Local, city and county librarians can arrange special story hours. The list is endless.

Things you can do to celebrate Read Across America:

Visit NEA for Resources and Materials. Print out a bookmark, read the Read Across America Poem, take the Reader's Oath, and check out booklists.

Reading Rockets has a video interview with Mrs. Dr. Seuss and tons o' activities!

Apples4theteacher.com has a great page packed with Dr. Seuss Activities and Online Games.

Readwritethink.org has a great page of lesson plans and web links.

Pay a visit to Seussville.com- You won't be disappointed!

Let the nation know what you have planned for Reading Across America:
The National Education Association is hosting a section on the NEA website where you can pledge your RAA activities online. Visit NEA's pledge page and let the nation know what you plan to do to promote Read Across America.

One more suggestion for celebrating RAA: phone your thoughts on a favorite children's book into the Just One More Book listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so they can include your audio in an upcoming edition of their show!

Me? I vowed to read Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Classic Seuss) and Horton Hatches the Egg (Classic Seuss)! LOVE those books!

HAPPY READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY!