Read Across America

photo from the NYPL website

Today at thousands of Target stores across America kids are listening to Dr. Seuss during free storytimes.  Finally some good news!  Target celebrates ‘Read Across America’ in a BIG way - storytimes, giveaways, Seuss books on sale, public awareness campaigns and online games and quizzes, they actually c0sponsor the event across the country with the National Education Association.   Target already contributes 5% of its profits to its communities but recently they have committed to give $500 million to education and reading programs by 2015.  

On their website they point to research that demonstrates how critical it is for children to be reading by the end of 3rd grade.  They also note that 1 in 4 American kids fails to graduate from high school.  It’s great to see a private sector company taking on some of the nitty gritty work, of course money is great but a helping hand getting the job done doesn’t hurt - just think about how many kids will be exposed to a great Dr. Seuss book when they would have just been schlepping around looking for toothpaste?  What if Target read to kids for an hour or two every Saturday...think of the learning...and think of the business they would attract.

Read Across America was founded by the National Education Association in 1998 to get kids excited about reading and every year, on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, the stripy cat hats go on.  The day is like a cross country pep rally to get kids motivated to read, remind parents to read to them and give teachers and librarians and excuse to pull out their favorite Seuss book to read out loud - last year Michelle Obama and Arnie Duncan celebrated the day at the Library of Congress (check them out on school tube)..  

Target and the NEA kicked off the event in a big way at the NYPL where they constructed a 3-dimensional, 26 foot  “READ” sign on the steps of the library (right between Patience and Fortitude) literally made out of 25,000 Dr. Seuss books.  Then they invited Mark Ruffalo and Uma Thurman to read to kids and pump up the excitement.  The books used to make the sculpture will eventually be donated to NYC schools.
Target is selling two Dr. Seuss favorites for only $10 until March 15th - if you know someone under 5 yrs. old who doesn’t have these classic books do them a favor and pick them up - it could change their life.

This advice from Mr. Geisel’s inspires me everyday, “the more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”