Readers Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday & Read Across America Day

March 2 marks both the birthday of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day. Here are some ways you can celebrate.

CELEBRATE DR. SEUSS’S 113TH BIRTHDAY TODAY

Read Across America Day was begun in 1997 by the National Education Association to encourage reading awareness initiatives. Classrooms and libraries put on various activities to inspire a love of reading today. The tips put out by the NEA can be used by teachers, parents, or just Seuss enthusiasts.

The NEW suggests reading classics such as The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, and of course, Green Eggs and Ham. Beyond that, they recommend making a collage based on Oh, the Places You’ll Go! of all the destinations one wishes to see. Then perhaps read The Lorax and discuss ways to make the world a healthier place by reducing waste and saving energy.

One could even grow a garden from inspiration gained from The Lorax. One could participate in Dr. Seuss trivia, or simply re-read all of your favorites from the late author.

But most importantly, the NEA stresses the joy of reading, and encourages children and adults alike to pick up a book today.

Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Seuss Giesel, would have been 113 today. He chose that pen name because he was saving his real name for the Great American Novel he intended to write one day, but never did. In fact, the author was not a doctor at all, but studied to be a cartoonist. In 1955, however, his alma mater Dartmouth College awarded him with an honorary doctorate.