Read Across America
-- Publishers Weekly, 2/28/2008
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the NEA’s Read Across America Day, which will take place Monday, March 3. The literacy initiative celebrates the birthday of Dr. Seuss and encourages schools, parents and children to turn their attention toward reading; more than 45 million people are expected to participate. Here are a few of the events planned; visit Read Across America’s Web site for more information.
* Through the NEA’s partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, an animated version of Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who will be available [online] www.kidthing.com/neasreadacrossamerica for use in classrooms, starting February 25.
* Three Dr. Seuss-themed “Cat-a-Vans” will tour the country beginning February 29 and visit 18 cities, donating an estimated 12,000 books as well as nearly $100,000 in grant money to public schools.
* The vans will be in Florida in early March for baseball’s spring training, with teams including the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals and New York Mets hosting “read-ins” at ballparks and schools.
* As part of a “Read Across Capital Hill” the U.S. Senate will hear a resolution sponsored by Senators Susan Collins and Jack Reed to make March 3 “Read Across America Day.” Members of Congress are also scheduled to host read-ins in their home districts.
