Promote a love of reading with this national cause!
These fun activities will get your entire family involved in this important initiative!
So…What is Read Across America Day?
The National Education Association launched Read Across America back in 1998. Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2nd, which is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative based on encouraging reading. The first National Read Across America Day was held on March 2, 1998.
Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. It is meant to be a year-round program that focuses on motivating children and teens to read publications that are about everyone, for everyone. The book titles that are featured by Read Across America aim to include books that children can see themselves represented in, as well as books that allow them to see characters and people that might be different than them.
The main goal is to promote ways for children to feel included, recognized, and part of the world. It is such an important topic that children and families are encouraged to celebrate Read Across America not just in March, but throughout the entire year.
Related post: 25 children’s books that feature Black Historians
Ways to inspire your child to read
- Start collecting books early on. Have them in the car, in every room of the house, and tuck them in backpacks and purses. Make them easily accessible to your child.
- Let your child see you reading. Children learn from example, so what better way to promote reading than to see those around them reading!
- Read to your children even while they are in the womb. No matter their age, reading aloud strengthens their vocabulary and build necessary language skills. It also opens up opportunities for you to talk about interesting things that happen in the books.
- If they can, have your child read to you, too. You never know what you might learn and there is nothing like hearing your child read to you for the very first time!
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3 ways to celebrate Read Across America Day
1. Join a book subscription club
There are tons of options when it comes to book subscriptions. You can find something for everyone; infants, toddlers, kids, teens, Mom and Dad!
Kids:
Bookroo
Each book comes individually wrapped, and you can choose from one of three Bookroo kids books subscriptions!
- Board Books (ages 0-3)
The board book box comes with three sturdy board books, making it a good option for small fingers still learning how to handle books. Books typically have 8-14 pages. Each box includes an insert highlighting the books and offering exclusive details, like insights from authors and illustrators.
- Picture Book Club (ages 3-6)
The picture book box comes with two hardcover picture books. These books are perfect for reading aloud on a lap or for young readers just learning to read. Books typically have 32-40 pages. Each box includes an insert highlighting the books and offering exclusive details, like insights from authors and illustrators.
- Junior Chapter Book Club (ages 7-10)
The junior chapter book box comes with two books and is for readers ready to advance from early reader books to longer stories. The featured books typically have 120-280 pages, and each box includes an insert that highlights the books and offers discussion ideas.
- Middle Grade Chapter Book Club (ages 9-12)
The middle grade chapter book box comes with two books and is for readers ready for higher word counts, complex stories, and advanced vocabularies. The featured books typically have 300-400 pages, and each box includes an insert that highlights the books and offers discussion ideas.
Our Little Book Club
An Affordable Book Club Delivering Amazing Value!
Watch your child blossom as a reader! Each month you receive two beautiful age-appropriate hardcover books and an activity book. The activity books consist of large image coloring books for the little ones and puzzles, mazes, and art instructions for the older readers. We carefully pack and ship each Subscriber’s first box in under 48 hours.
- Books that inspire, educate and entertain!
- Average value per box $35
- Ships within 2 business days
- High-quality age-appropriate hardcover books and activities from newborn to age 12.
beTWEEN the Bookends
beTWEEN the Bookends- monthly themed book box
Keep the joy of reading alive with our Middle Grade book box! Available in many different options, these monthly themed boxes will include 1-3 novels along with 3-8 bookish and lifestyle items! Boxes are created by teen entrepreneur Jillian, who reads every book and tests every product prior to shipment. Happy reading!
- The perfect gift for book loving tweens!
- A fun mix of books and lifestyle items, keeping them excited to read
- Small shops featured in every box
- Now offering boxes for both boys and girls
Related post: Valentine’s Day children’s books your child will fall in love with
Adults:
JustBooksBox
- Discover the first book in a new series
- Find a new beloved author in your favorite genre
- Focus on books rather than other trinkets and tidbits
- Boxes organized by different Theme each month
Peace & Pages
Every box will include a well-received book in a genre of your choosing along with unique relaxation items and gifts from small shops across America. Equal parts self-care and book box, it’s perfectly curated to help you read and relax.
- A monthly delivery of an intriguing book and handpicked products sourced only from small businesses in the US. These items are unique and often handmade, so not what you’d find on big box store shelves!
- With 10+ book genres to choose from, including Young Adult and Christian Fiction, there is something for everyone! Choose just one type or as many as you’d like to mix it up.
- Each book included is researched for positive reviews, has a publication date within the last 3 years, and will be in new/like new, unread condition.
Bubbles and Books
- Choose contemporary, paranormal, or historical romance – or mystery/thriller books.
- Items to expect: Bath bombs, artisan soaps, bubble baths, teas, candles, lip scrubs, whipped soaps, face masks, bath salts and so much more! Every month a surprise treat!
- Each standard box includes: 1 paperback, 5+ romance eBooks, 3-5 luxury bath and body items
- Each premium box includes: 2 paperbacks, 5+ romance eBooks, 5-7 luxury bath and body items
2. Visit your local library
There is nothing like a child getting their own library card! Going to the library and being able to check out up to thirty books at once is so magical! Every child should be able to experience this, and it is a great way to expose your child to books in an inexpensive way!
Related post: The ULTIMATE list of holiday books for children
3. Visit your local book store or a chain book store like Barnes and Noble
Another fun way to celebrate reading is to visit your local, small owned bookstore or find a Barnes and Noble near you. Small book stores are very unique in that they normally have much history within the store, coming from the family that owns it! They sometimes are able to get one of a kind classics and special editions as well, so they are a great place to take your child to.
What to take from this
The most important takeaway from this is to have fun as a family and enjoy all that books have to offer! Books are a great way to not only introduce new concepts, but also expose your child to other languages, cultures, and races & ethnicities around the world. Allow your child the freedom to learn all they can and get lost in a book or two!
Do you have any special ways that you will celebrate Read Across America Day as family? Please share them in the comments!
Happy Reading,
Anitra J.
You have some great tips here that we have found to work in our own family. Collecting books and having them all over the house, reading to your kids even from birth (and in utero) – it works! All of our kids love books and and have learned or are learning to read.
I didn’t know there were so many book clubs for children. Really enjoyed the list. I’m excited to get started.
I love that there are book subscription boxes now. What a great gift for a youngster! We have a great little library in my town, but no bookstores. Whenever I am visiting somewhere with bookstores, that is always to the to visit list!
These are some fun ways to help kids read more
The boxes look great! I want the Bubbles and Books one!
These are some great ways for kids reading
We have the Little Bookish Wardrobe subscription box and LOVE it.
I am going to have to try out a couple of the subscription boxes. I love to read and my kids do too!
My first to hear about Read Across America Day and it sounds really interesting! Really good for kids!
A book subscription is such a great idea! It would also make a great gift! My in-laws love to read and I never know what to get them (my husband is no help there 😂).