It's All About the Books: Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter, Read Across America Day and National Reading Month

March 2009 Congress declared March National Reading Month, and began the celebration by authorizing "the collection of nonmonetary book donations in Senate office buildings during the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 from Senators and officers and employees of the Senate to assist elementary school students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area." (Senate Res. 69, 111^th Congress) This year there are many ways we can celebrate National Reading Month beginning with Read Across America Day, Dr. Seuss and ending it by helping others.

March 2 is Dr. Seuss Day, a celebration of the beloved series of books by Dr. Seuss with imaginative creatures like Thing 1 and Thing 2 and rhythm and rhyming words. Consider a breakfast for dinner adventure with your children like cooking "Green Eggs and Ham," followed by a reading of the book. Other Dr. Seuss Day activities for homeschoolers, parents, teachers and play dates include:

Let's Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday with Fun Online and Printable Seuss Activities for Kids

Half the fun of reading is bring books to life. These Dr Seuss Crafts for Kids provide children with the opportunity to read, write and create Dr. Seuss hats, Horton Hears a Who and learn more about "The Foot Book."

Celebrate reading with these free printable bookmarks your children can color or embellish, use or give away.

Are your kids crazy for Harry Potter? If so keep them busy at home and where ever you may go with these free printable Harry Potter crosswords, puzzles, and word finds.

Make your own mini- books! Are your children learning their letters? Maybe they are creative story tellers? Help them learn to love to read and write with these free mini book activities from DLTK. Simply print, follow the easy instructions and decorate!

Give the gift of books to schools in need. SCARCE is a non profit school rescue organizations that helps schools in need get the books to read. Find out if a school near you could use your help. Get the whole family involved, collect used books in your home and donate them to SCARCE or a local library so they can use them to fund their special programs.

Other reading resources:

Want to raise a reader? Check out this overview and tips for building pre-reading skills in young children.

An overview of tips for creating reading centers as well as specific reading center ideas at home or at school.

Read with your children. It's creates bonding, memories, encourages language and vocabulary skills and so many more benefits. Don't let reading be just a day or a month but a lifestyle.

Sources:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=sr111-69