Celebrate Read Across America Day

National Read Across America Day is March 2, the birthday of renowned children's author Dr. Seuss.  It celebrates the joys and educational benefits of reading, encourages adults to read to children, and invites everyone to read 365 days of the year. 

The Verona Library will celebrate with a special Dr. Seuss storytime starting at 10 a.m., and a Seuss-tastic craft project. Every child will leave with a free Green Eggs and Ham bookmark!

Library Director James Thomas said substitute children's librarian Nina Rosenstein will read a selection of Dr. Seuss books to all children who attend. Thomas said he wasn't sure what books or how many she would get through, but said he placed an emphasis on Green Eggs and Ham.

Can’t make it to the library?  The National Educational Association has these suggestions to encourage your children to become readers:

• Get your children their own library cards.
• Try a story hour or other free event at the library.
• Check out a local bookstore. 
• Give them a book or gift certificate to a bookstore.
• When you take your child to the library, let them choose some of the books.
•  Let your child see you reading, whether it’s a magazine, newspaper, or book.
• Encourage older kids to read to their younger siblings.  Or, perhaps have the whole family set aside some time to read together!
• Show your kids how people use reading all the time. Read aloud street and store signs, maps, billboards, menus, and labels on packages.
• Create a library for your child of new or used books. Look for affordable books at yard sales, secondhand book stores, and library book sales.  You can even trade with other parents.
• Set up an area in your home where there are a variety of reading materials within easy reach.  Encourage writing by including paper, crayons, markers, pens, and pencils.
• Kids love getting mail so subscribe to a children’s magazine.  Read it with your child every month.
• Carry books to read to your child everywhere you go.
• Encourage a love of words by playing rhyming and word games, singing silly songs, or writing poems and stories together.

For more information on Read Across America Day, visit www.nea.org.