Contact: Staci Maiers  (202) 822-7823

March 2, 2007 

NEA Rolls Out Red Carpet for Celebrity Read-in on Read Across America Day

Largest National Reading Event Culminates on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

NEW YORK—NEA’s Read Across America program celebrated a decade of getting youngsters excited about reading on Friday with a star-studded event at the historic New York Public Library. Tennis champion Serena Williams and Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera were among the celebrities who led 250 students from New York public schools in a morning reading spectacular dubbed, “Reading on the Red Carpet,” sponsored by NEA and Target.

“The National Education Association and its members created ‘Read Across America Day’ on March 2, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss, to make reading a national pastime,” said NEA President Reg Weaver as he opened the event. “We want to encourage people to stop what they’re doing today and share a book with a child. Reading is not only the gateway to success, but it’s fun as well.”

The Celeste Bartos Forum at The New York Public Library was transformed into a reading wonderland, complete with seven uniquely designed reading lounges that included Fatboys, daybeds and gigaballs to make reading fun for hundreds of children. Students had a chance to take Polaroid pictures as special take-home mementos of the event in addition to a reading goodie bag so they could keep reading all year round. 

The program highlighted the 50th birthday of Dr. Seuss’s “Cat in the Hat” character. And what birthday party would be complete without a cake? Children attending the New York read-in saw the Cat in the Hat blow out the candles on a huge cake, created specially by celebrity cake maker Colette Peters. 

The celebrity reading roster also included actresses Kyla Pratt of Dr. Dolittle and Constance Marie of the critically acclaimed George Lopez Show. Celebrities autographed the trendy Fatboy lounge furniture, which will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting NEA’s Books Across America, a program that provides book donations and monetary awards to needy public school libraries.

“NEA’s Read Across America has become a national tradition,” said Weaver. “What began as a few reading parties 10 years ago has grown into the largest national reading event with more than 45 million people expected to participate this year. As we celebrate this fun and successful program, let’s not forget the most important message: Children who read—and are read to—do better in school and in life.”

Target, one of Read Across America’s long-standing partners, joined NEA to host the celebrity read-in, capping off a week of reading fun. Target has participated in Read Across America activities for more than seven years.

To celebrate Read Across America, Target stores nationwide hosted in-store events on February 25 that included reading by volunteers and local notables, as well as reading activities and giveaways.
 
“Target recognizes the integral role reading plays in shaping a child’s education and future,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target.  “Because reading is the foundation for lifelong learning, Target is excited to join the National Education Association in celebrating Read Across America Day and the Cat in the Hat’s 50th birthday.”

Friday also marked the final day of the weeklong Read Across America “Cat-a-Van Reading Tour” that traveled through Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

Sponsored by the 3.2 million-member NEA, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and more than 50 national partners, Read Across America has evolved from a one-day reading celebration into a year-round program that reaches nearly every school and community in the United States. 

Visit www.nea.org/readacross for the latest information and a listing of events happening around the country to celebrate NEA’s Read Across America Day.  High resolution photographs from the events are available by contacting Staci Maiers of NEA Public Relations at (202) 270-5333 or smaiers@nea.org .

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2  million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.