World Read Aloud Day

 

Today is World Read Aloud Day. A day in which we celebrate literacy and the power of reading aloud. Think back to the favorite books you read your child/children when young, or those read to you when young. Do you get a warm, fuzzy feeling? I do! As a children's book author, I am surrounded by picture books and read oodles of them, but the ones I often read my kids when they were young will always have special meaning and a true sense of heart.

Sharing stories and reading aloud builds literacy skills, celebrates the parent-child/caregiver-child relationship, and improves imagination letting readers and listeners get lost in new worlds and places to explore. What a wonderful thing!

To whom and where can you read aloud to someone today?

Celebrate Read Across America Day

Today, March 2, is widely celebrated as Read Across America Day. This day serves as motivation and awareness in calling every child to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss.  Who better to celebrate than Dr. Seuss who made reading and enjoying books so much fun for kids, and who continues to enchant and entertain children and adults today.

Motivating children to read, which, in turn, improves student achievement and performance in school, is so very important.  As a children's author, my goal is to write books that make kids (and the parents reading to their kids) want to read them time and time again.  I want to instill a love of reading and books in kids and make them want to pick up a book and read. 

Losing oneself in the pages of a book and the life created therein is what made me want to be an author in the first place.  To do this for children is the greatest honor and privilege, and I salute Dr. Seuss for helping the world see the fun words and stories can be for children.

So, today, grab your favorite book, Dr. Seuss or otherwise, and settle in to read. I know I will be doing the same.

Should you feel so inclined, please share your favorite Dr. Seuss book below.  It is hard to beat THE CAT IN THE HAT, but OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO is one of my favs! How about you?