Read Across America Day

Read Across America Day History

Read Across America Day is a nationwide educational program dedicated to promoting reading among children and young adults. Organized and sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), a major labor union in the United States, the special day serves the crucial purpose of encouraging a lifelong love for reading. The program vows to expose young minds to the wonders of literature, emphasizing its importance in holistic growth and development.

Since its inception in 1997, Read Across America Day has closely been associated with the beloved author, Dr. Seuss, focusing on the shared enjoyment of his whimsical and thought-provoking stories. However, in recent years, the NEA has broadened the program's scope, incorporating books that reflect diverse authors and characters to foster inclusivity and representation. It emphasizes upon varied literature, thereby enabling students to see the world through multiple lenses.

Read Across America Day is usually observed on March 2nd, which coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss. But the mission of cultivating a culture of reading extends beyond a single day. All through the year, schools, libraries, and community centers organize various initiatives to motivate children to explore new realms through the written word, putting the adage "Reading is Fundamental" into action.

Facts about Read Across America Day

• According to eboks.com, ebook sales revenue amounts to $2.4 billion and digital audio comes at $2.3 billion. Amazon's share of this market is 68 %.
• According to Amazon, the top 5 best-selling books at the end of 2024 were:
  1) A Novel by James Percival Everett
  2) The Women by Kristin Hannah
  3) All the Worst Humans by Phil Elwood
  4) The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
  5) Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
• Reading books can have many health benefits. According to lifehack.org, reading can improve your focus and concentration, your analytical skills, your memory, and your knowledge. It is also said that you can reduce stress and lower the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Since 2019, the focus has shifted towards promoting diversity and inclusion. NEA now highlights books that are telling stories of students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and students who live in rural areas or in poverty.
• The date coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, one of the most popular children's author.
• Reading, not only broadens knowledge and health literacy, but also helps us learn about health-related issues and sex, reducing the stigma on these topics.

In the News and Trending for Read Across America Day

Top things to do for Read Across America Day

• Find a book to read at Read Across America. You can search by age and topic, so there's something for everyone.
• Browse Read Across America's recommended books. They have a diverse set of options that can help children and families spread the joy of reading.
• Spread the joys of reading by gifting or lending someone a book that meant a lot to you. If you recently read a book that left an impact on you, chances are it will help a friend or family member out too.
• Watch a film that highlights the joy of books and reading. Here are our suggestions:
  Finding Forrester (2000)
  84 Charing Cross Road (1987)
  Fahrenheit 451 (1966)