A celebration for kids of all ages, Read Across America Day is a great way to get reading right now. The annual event — which is held every year on March 2 in honor of Dr Seuss’ birthday(!) — was started by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to generate excitement around literacy. The idea? Encourage children to read for their benefit, rather than think of picking up a book as a requirement.
Starting today, communities across the country will be participating in a series of programs or challenges to make reading more intriguing. Lara Litchfield-Kimber, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum in Poughkeepsie, says they are planning to acknowledge the national academic affair through “connecting children and families with local authors for three days of live storybook readings.”
To get your family involved, make sure you check out some — or all — of these great events at the Dutchess County venue:
March 2 (noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.): Diversity Day. United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region volunteers will be reading children’s books that celebrate people’s differences.
March 3 (3:30 p.m.): Susanna Leonard Hill Day. Susanna Leonard Hill, author of April Fool, Phyllis! and Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, will read at this special event.
March 3 (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.): Storytime and Buddy Reading. Members of the Marist Literary Arts Society will be on site for special programing and buddy reading.
March 4 (3 p.m. and 4 p.m.): Ladybug Girl Day. Author Jacky Davis and illustrator David Soman, both of Ladybug Girl fame, will read and demonstrate some drawing. (There will also be a special Ladybug Girl character photo op!)
For more information, check out Mid Hudson Children’s Museum’s website or find them on Facebook.
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