I recently had the honor and privilege of an invite and participating in the Read Across America Program. I got to meet and hang out with a great group of kids and two fantastic educators at the Wesson Attendance Center (in Wesson, MS)!
I had a great time sharing my new book, Squirrelly McNut Goes to School, with the kindergarten class of Jennie Skinner and Karen Sullivan!
So what is Read Across America?
The National Education Association (NEA) launched the Read Across America Program, which is an initiative on reading that began in 1997 to encourage children to read more books and also to get them excited about reading! On March 2, 1998, the very first Read Across America Day was celebrated, and since then it has become an annual event.
Read Across America Day is also known as Dr Seuss Day. Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as “Dr Seuss”, was an American artist, book publisher, animator, poet, and a political cartoonist, as well as an author. He is best known for authoring over 60 children’s books, including the popular Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and of course How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The holiday mainly focuses on motivating children to read as it improves their performance in school. On this day, many hospitals, bookstores, community centers, churches, and libraries, as well as schools of course will host various events.
NEA members and a total of approximately 50 national associations as well support the Read Across America Day. The National Education Association provides various resource materials for people who want to celebrate the holiday in their unique way. Some organize reading pledges, book fairs, or just read aloud to groups of children.
At the end of the day, in my opinion, here’s what it’s all about…
When people take the time to read with kids, you raise the awareness about the value, importance, and fun of reading! Read Across America gives us the opportunity to help kids to enjoy and relate to stories they read by linking books and reading to other experiences in their lives.
When you read a book for a group of kids and a couple come up to give you a hug afterwards, you realize that your story touched them on a personal level. They related emotionally to a character or a situation, and realized that they were not alone. And as an author, WOW… what a feeling!
Please help support wholesome stories for the kiddos by purchasing and sharing my books!
https://www.squirrellymcnut.com/about-the-book.html
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