Last week NEA celebrated the 51^st birthday of The Cat in the Hat and the birthday of Dr. Seuss with its nation-wide reading event, Read Across America. Now in its 11^th year, Read Across America was bigger and better than ever.

Parents, teachers, students and reading buffs of all ages documented their participation in the event with their blogs, pictures (and more pictures!), and videos.

My favorite blog post comes from an author who participated in a Read Across event at a local elementary school:

It was a carnival-like atmosphere. Every adult in the school was wearing a Dr. Seuss/"Cat in the Hat" hat -- even the community's policemen who came to read wearing their bullet-proof vests and holstered guns. There were three or four young adults from a semi-pro soccer team. There were retired teachers and veterans and moms and dads. It was amazing to see such a diverse group of people; but, what I loved the most was this feeling in the air that although we came from different backgrounds and professions, we were all there to do something for the greater good.

I haven't found a better summation of what makes the day so special.

Here at NEA, we have our own photo gallery, but I like the pictures below, which show the spirit of the adults and the wonder (okay, maybe just the cuteness!) of the children.

Not surprisingly, NEA state affiliates and leaders were active in the celebration. What's different this year is the video coverage: WEAC leaders visited an elementary school in Milwaukee; NEA Vice President Dennis Van Roekel participated in kick-off festivities in Austin, TX; and, North Carolina Association of Educators produced a highlight video of their activities.

Not all schools marked Dr. Seuss's birthday in a conventional way. At an elementary school in Mira Mesa, Ca., the teachers and students celebrated with lively music and dancing. Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves, but no word if reading and books were involved. Charlie Chittick Elementary School, on the other hand, created a puppet show.

--Joe Hammond

Return to News