No matter what your age, you have probably heard of the classic children’s books “The Cat in the Hat,” “The Lorax,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Horton Hears a Who” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You probably also know all of these -- and many more -- were written by Dr. Seuss! If you love Dr. Seuss books -- or just love reading -- March 2 marks National Read Across America Day, which is celebrated each year on the birthday of the beloved children’s book author and illustrator.
National Read Across America Day, or as some call it, Dr. Seuss Day, was established by the National Education Association in 1998 as an initiative to encourage children to celebrate reading. When it was created, the NEA decided to hold the day on Seuss’s birthday as a way to honor his legacy. Theodor Seuss Geisel wrote over 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His books became some of the most popular children’s books ever, selling over 600 million copies across the globe. His books have even been translated into 20 different languages! Clearly, his legacy is something worth celebrating. What better way than to crack open a book?
Dr. Seuss Day is mainly celebrated in schools, but parents are also encouraged to read with their kids. Reading is vital to the health and development of children in so many ways. Even if you don’t have a child, feel free to participate by breaking out your own book to enjoy! If you are able to participate, the NEA encourages you to use #ReadAcrossAmericaDay or #DrSeussDay to spread the love of reading on social media.
As Dr. Seuss wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” So, go ahead and crack open a book today.
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