April reading activities

April is National Poetry Month, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Find out about their free resources for this celebration.

Highlight poetry for children and young adults during Young People's Poetry Week, April 12-18. The sponsor, Children's Book Council, offers an online catalog of poetry resources.

Resources

• Billy Collins, Poet Laureate of the United States, created Poetry 180 to offer high school students a poem for every day of the approximately 180-day school year.
• How To Write Funny Poetry
• Kids can construct their own poetry at MagenticPoetry.com
• "Ask the Poet" at Giggle Poetry

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Focus public attention on the reading needs of young children during The Week of the Young Child, April 18-24. The sponsor, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), offers resources and materials for participating.

Resources

• Get Ready to Read provides early childhood teachers and caregivers practical information and ideas for developing literacy-rich environments
• First Lady Laura Bush offers advice with "How Do I Know a Good Early Reading Program When I See One?"

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National Library Week is April 18-24. This observance to celebrate the contributions of libraries and librarians is sponsored by the American Library Association. Many school libraries also celebrate the month of April as School Library Media Month sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of ALA. Visit their Web site or call 800-545-2433 for details on both events.

Resources

• Here is a list of books that celebrate the joys of reading and writing, and honor that uniquely American institution -- the public library. Shared with NEA's Read Across America by PBS's Between the Lions.
• Between the Lions, Literacy Tips for the 10-minute Parent: Discover Your Local Library
• U.S. Department of Education presents Learning Partners: Let's Use the Library
• Children's Picture Books with Librarians and Libraries: An Annotated Bibliography

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National Youth Service Days, April 16-18 is a program of Youth Service America, in association with the National Youth Leadership Council and Parade magazine. Join in by engaging kids in literacy service projects. Visit YSA's Web site for details.

Resources

• An extensive bibliography on volunteerism: 2,000 titles in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish
• Community Youth Involvement reading list
• "Guide for Student Volunteers Starting Early Childhood Literacy Programs"
• Create and organize a shared reading program with older children reading to younger children with "Adopt a Bunny"

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Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) will hold its annual National Record-A-Thon during the third week in April. This event is an intensive week-long volunteer effort to add recorded textbooks in every subject matter and grade level to RFB&D's collection for students who can't read standard print effectively because of a disability. Visit their Web site or call 1-866-RFBD-585 to locate the nearest recording studio.

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April 30 is Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros (Children's Day/Books' Day) and a day to celebrate the power of being bilingual. A list of Web resources is available.

Resources

• Check the list provided by the National Latino Children's Institute to see if there's an El Día de los Niños 2004 celebration in your city.
• Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents
• NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education)
• Pat Mora is a nationally recognized children's book author and instigator in El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros.

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April author birthdays

Discover these literary luminaries for satisfying spring reading:

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 It's time to spring into books! Take a look at our booklists to plan your child's spring reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• Celebrities' Favorite Books
• Hispanic booklist
• Asian-American books
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should know
• State-by-State booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy booklist
• Native American booklist

Send comments to readacross@nea.org