A nation of readers wearing one hat

Host a hat-focused event!

NEA's 8th annual Read Across America Day celebrates the 101st anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birth.  NEA, with support from its partners, affiliates, and members, will bring America under one hat -- the famous red and white stovepipe of the Cat in the Hat -- for a flurry of reading excitement on March 2.

To accomplish this mass bedecking, NEA is encouraging events all across the country, where groups who typically wear hats for their profession or fun can exchange their regular hats for a reading hat and spend time reading to or with children.

In addition to the visual element of the symbolic changing of the hat, the backdrop for these types of events can help tell a national and local story. Events staged at significant places can not only help enhance the visual "Read Across America" image, but can also be exciting learning experiences. For example, a large group of farmers reading at a farm with children, park service rangers reading at Mt. Rushmore, coal miners reading at an exhibition coal mine, etc., all emphasize the diversity of our country and our countrymen, and highlight the importance of reading for all.

For more information on creating a hat-focused event -- including some fun hat clip art and bookmarks -- check out this resources page .

Some ideas for hats to swap

• In Florida, sun hats on both Florida coasts are swapped for Cat hats

• In Iowa, farmers help grow readers

• In Texas, rodeo style events with cowboys swapping Stetsons for stovepipes

• In New York, events with the police in force

• In West Virginia, coal miners exchange their lantern hard hats

• In South Dakota, park service rangers get new head gear

• In Oregon, pilots make the switch