Each year National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by a committee of educators. This motivational and awareness day calls all children and youth in every community across the US to celebrate reading wherever they are.
In the past, several Read Across America book authors have been interviewed on the NEA’s School Me podcast. For example, Donna Barba Higuera discussed El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! and why she is so passionate about writing books that feature multiracial children, families, and identities. Wendy Long-Wan Shang, author of The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, talked about why representation matters. Andrea Davis Pinkney, author of Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It, discussed the power of storytelling. And Duncan Tonatiuh, author of A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters, made the case for the freedom to read.
Each month Read Across America features three books—one each for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers—that explore a topic related to diversity and inclusion. Check out the calendar to see what’s in store!