September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Go to the American Library Association's Web site for free downloadable posters and bookmarks that remind parents and students that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

September 8 is International Literacy Day. Planning and participation materials are available online from the International Reading Association. The National Institute for Literacy also offers ideas for local International Literacy Day events.

Celebrate substitute teachers this year during Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week September 12-16, 2005.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 to October 15 each year. Read our article for more information and links to resources. You can also join the celebration by participating in the National Hispanic American Read-In Chain. Visit the International Reading Association's Web site for details.  Or go to the Infoplease site to do a Hispanic Heritage Month crossword puzzle.

Observed from September 24-October 1, 2005, Banned Books Week is a time to celebrate your freedom to read. Visit the American Library Association Web site for information, resources, and lists of banned and challenged books.

September author birthdays

Discover these literary luminaries for satisfying autumn reading:

• John Bierhorst: September 2
• Paul Fleischman: September 5
• Anthony Browne: September 11  
• Mildred Taylor: September 13
• Tomie dePaola: September 15  
• Gail Carson Levine: September 17
• Stephen King: September 21
• Cooper Edens: September 25

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

Help young adolescents reach their potential and draw public attention to their unique needs during the Month of the Young Adolescent, sponsored by the National Middle School Association. And find out what kind of literature they crave with Books for Middle-Schoolers, a book list from the Children's Library in the Mt. Lebanon Public Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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October is National Book Month, America's annual celebration of writers and readers, sponsored by the National Book Foundation. Find suggested reading and ways to celebrate at NBF's Web site.

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Pay tribute to the custodial workers in our schools on October 2, 2005, National Custodial Workers Day.

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October 10-14 is National School Lunch Week (NSLW). NSLW was established in 1963 by a proclamation from President John F. Kennedy. It is designed to help raise awareness of and garner support for the role that school foodservice and nutrition programs play in the lives of America's children today, and in the strength of America tomorrow. Go to www.schoolnutrition.org/nslw for activities, brochures, toolkits, and more.

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"Get Real! @ your library" is the 2005 theme of the American Library Association's Teen Read Week. The celebration takes place October 16—22. Go to the ALA Web site to find out how to get involved in the celebration.

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On October 20, 2005, thousands of afterschool programs in communities nationwide will celebrate Lights On Afterschool! Be a part of this effort to showcase the importance of afterschool programs and underscore the need for quality afterschool programs for all children. Resources to help local participants are available at the Afterschool Alliance Web site.

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. During this month we celebrate the rich cultural traditions and proud ancestry of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and we recognize the vital contributions these groups have made to the strength and diversity of our society. Visit Indian Health Services's Web site for information and resources. Also, use our Native American reading list to plan your celebration.

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November 1 is National Family Literacy Day. Sponsored by the National Center for Family Literacy, this day highlights the impact made when parents and their children learn together. Their Web site will help you plan a family literacy night.

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November 8, 2005, is National Young Reader's Day, sponsored by the Library of Congress and Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Program. Go to www.bookitprogram.com.

American Education Week, November 13—19, 2005, recognizes the educators and school staff who keep our children safe and healthy, as well as help them achieve. Last year's theme was Celebrating the American Dream. (This year's theme forthcoming.) Get more information and resources at www.nea.org/aew/.

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Imagine  is this year's theme for the 86th observance of The Children's Book Council's National Children's Book Week, which takes place November 14-20, 2005 . Visit the Children's Book Council Web site for Book Week resources.

Celebrate National Education Support Professionals Day on November 16, 2005 .

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November Author Birthdays

Discover these literary luminaries for satisfying autumn reading:

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Fall in Love with Reading!

Chilly weather is the perfect time to get cozy with books. Take a look at our booklists to plan your child's fall reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• Asian-American Booklist
• Spanish/English Bilingual Booklist
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
• Celebrity Book Picks
• 50 State Booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy Booklist
• Native American Booklist
• African American Booklist
• Authors' Favorites Booklist

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

May is Get Caught Reading month. Find out how to get involved at the Get Caught Reading site, sponsored by the Association of American Publishers.

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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in May. Use our extensive Asian-American book list to celebrate the arrival of the U.S.'s first Japanese immigrants, who reached the States May 7, 1843.

Resources

• Read about Notable Asian-American Poets and Writers.
• Read about Asian Pacific American women who have Girl Power.
• Get readings and cultural lessons through history at the National Register of Historic Places site.

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May 1 is Join Hands Day. On the first Saturday of May each year, organizations are encouraged to form inter-generational partnerships, and then work together as volunteers to improve their communities.  Why not fill those joined hands with books, and make it a day of literary service? The day is sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies, in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. An action guide and more information are available at the official Join Hands Day Web site.

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Read to a teacher during May 2-8, Teacher Appreciation Week. Plan for special activities that honor teachers and recognize the lasting contributions they make to our lives on May 4, 2004, National Teacher Day. Materials for celebrating can be found at NEA's Web site.

Resources

• Go to the Family Education Network site for "Celebrate Your Child's Teachers".
• Read stories about and for teachers from the Thank a Teacher Project Book List.

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Reading Is Fun Week is May 16-23, 2004. Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has set aside a special week to celebrate reading! Visit the Reading Is Fundamental site to find out how you can discover — with others around the country — why reading is out of this world!

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Get a Kick Out of Reading/¡Lee y Marca un Golazo! NEA's partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) is heating up this summer with a Summer Reading Challenge!

The Summer Reading Challenge invites select children (grades K-6) in MLS team communities to earn the Readers' Shield Certificate:  Over a six week challenge period, children must read (or be read to) 90 minutes a week for fun — not for homework or other incentive programs. Children who meet the Challenge return their completed Scoresheets to be rewarded with Readers' Shield Certificates or other prizes from teams and local sponsors.

If you live in a community with a Major League Soccer team, check with your team to find out what's happening in your community.

If you don't live in a community with a Major League Soccer team, you can still take the challenge! Materials are available for those who would like to inspire summer reading with a soccer-themed summer challenge. Or if you want to read some great soccer-themed titles, check out their booklist.

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 May 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 Books
• Asian-American Books
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
• State-by-State Booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy booklist
• Native American booklist

March 2 is NEA's Read Across America Day! To all who read with a child, we dedicate these words from Christopher Morley:

"Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue — you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night — there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book."

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March is National Nutrition Month, and March 8-12 is National School Breakfast Week.

Resources

• Read It Before You Eat It! Curious George and the New Food Label
• Visit Kidseatwell.org for classroom activities on navigating fast food restaurants. Includes suggested reading.
• Put books on the menu! Navigate Your Day with School Breakfast offers recipes like Pirate Pancakes with Ahab Apple Topping! Or try some Ghosts for Breakfast by Stanley Todd Terasaki, see what happens If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff, and Don't Forget the Bacon! by Pat Hutchins.

Activity Ideas

• Work with school cafeteria staff or volunteers to concoct other tasty, healthy, book related snacks and meals like strawberry flavored milk for Seuss's Yink who likes to drink pink ink, a hearty bowl of Stone Soup, a yummy Gingerbread Man, and of course, Green Eggs and Ham.
• Let kids get involved in the cooking as well as the eating. Read Bread, Bread, Bread or The Tortilla Factory aloud then work together to research recipes to make your own. Or, have them recreate foods eaten by beloved book characters, like Harriet the Spy's favorite sandwich, Harry Potter's butterbeer, or some of that good diner food from Hope Was Here.

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March is Women's History Month. In 1980, the National Women's History Project (NWHP) was founded in Santa Rosa, California. Within a few years, thousands of schools and communities were celebrating National Women's History Week. In 1987, at the request of women's organizations, museums, libraries, youth leaders, and educators throughout the country, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the national celebrations to the entire month of March. This year's theme is "Women — Inspiring Hope and Possibility."

Resources

• The National Women's History Project is an educational nonprofit organization. Their mission is to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs. Visit their Web site for information about National Women's History Month.
• Resources for U.S. history and children's literature
• Take your students on the Women of Accomplishment: An Internet Scavenger Hunt
• A Celebration of Women Writers

Activity Ideas

• Arrange for history to come to life for young readers. Ask a storyteller, an actress, or even a parent to don a period costume to portray a famous woman author in history and share stories about her life, interests, books and accomplishments.

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March is Music in Our Schools Month. Begun as a single statewide celebration in 1973, it has grown over the decades to encompass a day, a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of music in our schools.

Resources

• Visit the official Music in Our Schools Web site, sponsored by the National Association for Music Education.
• The Sounds of Music Scavenger Hunt
• Use rock and roll to teach literary devices. Discover Jimi Hendrix' "The Wind Cries Mary" and other lesson plans from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Activity Ideas

• Stimulate interest in both reading and music with a rhythm activity. Create rhythm instruments like bean tambourines (paper plates with beans stapled inside) or shakers (rice-filled plastic eggs taped shut). Then have kids provide rhythmic accompaniment as you read aloud to them. If you choose a book like Green Eggs and Ham, ask them to play each time the words "green eggs and ham" are repeated.
• Lots of songs have been written as a tribute to a special person. Have kids write a song about a favorite book character or author that he/she wishes to honor with music. Kids can match their lyrics to an old folk tune or create their own background music. Hold a concert so everyone can share their song and the story that inspired it.

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March is Youth Art Month, an annual observance to emphasize the value of art education for all children, and to encourage support for quality school art programs.

Resources

• Visit the official Youth Art Month Web site, sponsored by the Council for Art Education, Inc.
• Check out the "@rt sparkers" in the @rt Room
• Support for Teachers in Art offers the Art of the Book
• Top 10 Art History Books for Children Under 12
• Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books, 1938-Present. Words may tell the story, but illustrations add beauty and dimension to the reading experience. Help kids appreciate the art in picture books by giving them more authentic art experiences of their own. Point out the artists' techniques as you read Caldecott Award winning titles and then provide the materials and encouragement to kids to try new methods and mediums to create their own works of art.

Freedom of Information Day is March 16. Contact the American Library Association/Public Information Office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5041/5044 or visit their Web site.

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March 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

Check out NEA's new partnership with Major League Soccer

Get a Kick Out of Reading/¡Lee y Marca un Golazo! kicks off this summer with a Summer Reading Challenge! The Challenge invites select children (grades K-6) in communities with a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to earn a Readers' Shield Certificate. Over a six week period children must read (or be read to) 90 minutes a week for fun — not for homework or other incentive programs. Children who meet the Challenge and return their completed scoresheets will be rewarded with Readers' Shield Certificates and/or other prizes from teams and/or local sponsors.

If you live in an MLS community, check with your MLS team to find out what's happening in your community.

If you don't live in an MLS team community, you can still take the challenge! Materials — including a great soccer-themed booklist — are available for educators, librarians, volunteers, parents and others who would like to inspire summer reading.  Go to the official Get a Kick Out of Reading web site for reproducible materials and more information.

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June is National Audiobook Month. Head to the library to find great audiobook selections read by a diversity of voices. Roughly one in five American households listened to an audiobook last year. Check out the abundance of children's audiobooks at Powells.com.

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June 12 is Anne Frank's birthday. If your child has never read The Diary of a Young Girl, now is the perfect time to introduce this classic by a girl whose indomitable spirit and legacy of hope endure.

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June 15 is the birthday of Brian Jacques, author of the reknowned Redwall series, in which the heroes are peace-loving animals who exhibit human characteristics in a medieval setting. Discover pages and pages of Redwall information and fun activities at the official Brian Jacques web site.

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June 20 is Father's Day. A great booklist from Minnesota's Reading with Dad Initiative lists children's picture books that prominently feature fathers.

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June 21 is Join Hands Day. On the third Saturday of June each year, youth and adult organizations throughout the country form partnerships across generations to come together to improve their own communities through neighborhood volunteering. Fill joined hands with books and make it a day of literacy service. The day is sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. An action guide and more information are available at www.joinhandsday.org.

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Don't close the books when the school doors close! Children frequently lose reading skills when they don't read during extended vacation. Take a look at our reading lists to plan your child's summer reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• African-American Booklist
• Asian-American Booklist
• Spanish/English Bilingual Booklist
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
• Celebrity Book Picks
• 50 State Booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy Booklist
• Native American Booklist
• Authors' Favorites Booklist

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

July 4 is Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence was approved and signed on July 4, 1776. Hear it read aloud — or read it yourself — at The History Place.

More resources:

• Rediscover America @ Your Library is a campaign of the American Library Association to remind all Americans that free people need free libraries. Libraries are a great place to read about democracy, freedom, citizenship and community.  They also help make those things possible. Spotlight how libraries play a role in civic participation with a scavenger hunt for the election, voting, and community resources available at your local library. The PBS Kids Democracy Project may inspire ideas for your scavenger hunt, as may your librarian.
  
• The National Archives offers more reading about the Declaration of Independence.
  
• The History Channel  features biographies of the signers, as well as interpretations of our nation's founding document, the Declaration of Independence.

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July 15: Summer Learning Day
A $15,000 grant from the Staples Foundation for Learning will enable the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University to coordinate the first national Summer Learning Day on July 15. Go to their site to get more information and a resource kit that will help you organize a celebration of Summer Learning Day in your community.

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July 18: Celebrate Theo's Birthday!
No, it's not Theodor Geisel's (aka Dr. Seuss) birthday again so soon. But did you know that Theo, the lion librarian on PBS's Between the Lions, is actually named for Theodor Geisel? Visit PBS Kids online for stories, games and fun. Also, check out the reading resources that Between the Lions has shared with NEA's Read Across America.

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July Author Birthdays

Rediscover these authors for satisfying summer reading:

• Jean Craighead George (July 2), Newbery Award-winning author of My Side of the Mountain, Julie of the Wolves, and over 100 books for children and young people. For more information, visit the official Craighead George web site.
  
• E. B. White (July 11), beloved author of the classics Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. Find out what E. B. White has to say about his stories at a web site hosted by HarperCollins Children's Books. The Internet School Library Media Center, hosted by James Madison University, offers a teacher resource file on E. B. White, including biographies, lesson plans and more.
  
• J. K. Rowling (July 31). The author of the Harry Potter juggernaut needs no introduction. Visit Scholastic's web site for information, author interviews and activities.
  
  The Internet School Library Media Center, hosted by James Madison University, offers teacher resources on J. K. Rowling, including biographies, lesson plans, literary criticisms, and links galore.

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Don't close the books when the school doors close! Children frequently lose reading skills when they don't read during an extended vacation. Take a look at our reading lists to plan your child's summer reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• African-American Booklist
• Asian-American Booklist
• Spanish/English Bilingual Booklist
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
• Celebrity Book Picks
• 50 State Booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy Booklist
• Native American Booklist
• Authors' Favorites Booklist

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

Look for Newbery and Caldecott Winners

Winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Medals are announced by the American Library Association at their mid-winter meeting in January (www.ala.org). Plan to put the 2005 winners and Honor Books, the Coretta Scott King and Pura Bel Pre award winners on your winter reading list.

Awarded annually since 1922, the Newbery Medal is given to the "author of the most distinguished contribution to American children's literature published in the preceding year." The award is named after John Newbery, an eighteenth century English publisher and bookseller of the first books for children.

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is given to the artist who has created the most distinguished picture book of the preceding year.

Activity Idea:

Consider following the example of the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne Indiana, which has hosted mock Newbery and Caldecott election programs for the last several years, giving adults with an interest in literature and illustration for children a chance to discuss new books. Using the same criteria that librarians use to decide the "real" medal winners, a group of children's literature lovers narrowed down a long list of titles to their favorite winners.

• You can see their results at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/pnewbery2004/html ).
• You can get the real criteria for the Awards at Newbery and Caldecott and hold a similar mock programs with students or other book lovers.
• You can develop your own criteria and award. Kids can have a lot of fun creating their award and notifying the author and/or illustrator aboutr his/her selection!

Martin Luther King Day

On January 17, 2005 America will celebrate the national holiday honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspire young readers with Dr. Kings's story, and help them join together as equals with others to address important community issues.

Go to www.mlkday.org for:

• information on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday of Service,
• a reading list,
• and details on small grants that will be available to communities so that they can plan and implement service projects.  

January author birthdays

Discover these literary luminaries for satisfying winter reading:

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

February is Library Lovers' Month

Library Lovers' Month is a celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types.  It's a time for everyone to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the nation's libraries will continue to serve.  Check out the these titles to share for your celebration.

Get ready to celebrate NEA's Read Across America Day

NEA's Read Across America Day is rapidly approaching -- have you submitted your Pledge to Participate? Share your plans with us and we'll post them on our state pledge pages so others can be inspired. It only takes a few minutes!

February is Black History Month

Black History Month was originally a one-week event begun by Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), noted Black scholar, historian and son of former slaves.  It expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976 as part of our nation's Bicentennial.

Celebrate African American culture through children’s literature.  Access our list of books highlighting African American culture.

The African American Read-In Chain

Participate in this nationwide read-in of literature by Black authors on the first Sunday of February at 4:00 p.m. EST. The first Monday is designated for educational institutions to participate.  Visit the African American Read-In Chain Web site at for information and materials. 

February author birthdays

Discover these literary luminaries for satisfying winter reading:

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

Read for 2005!

Participate in Read for 2005, Scholastic's 5th annual event that encourages students, teachers, friends, and parents around the globe to unite to read for 2005 seconds. Information and resources can be found at Scholastic.com.

December is Universal Human Rights Month

Read about human rights legends:

Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize winner from Burma

Awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace prize and many other awards for her leadership in Burma’s pro-democracy movement.  While the country’s military leadership held her in detention, Aung San Suu Kyi won a general election by a landslide.

Aung San Suu Kyi biography
http://www.ibiblio.org/freeburma/assk/assk.html

Aung San Suu Kyi resources
http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/aungsansuukyi

Nelson Mandela

Profile of Nelson Mandela
http://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela.html

ANC Nelson Mandela page
http://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela/index.html

December 21 is the Winter Solstice

Resources

• A wintery tale of survival comes to virtual life at Weather Eye.  
• Learn from Mrs. McGowan's first grade class at H. W. Mountz School in Spring Lake, NJ, how to Read A Winter Book ... Write A Winter Poem.

Activity Ideas

• Make winter time a season of sharing. Books are gifts that keep giving. Create winter holiday classroom or home projects that give the gift of literacy:
  • Make a donation to your local library as a gift in honor of your favorite reader(s).
  • Bring books and holiday cheer to a local nursing home to read with the elderly.
  • Support local book/toy drives or collaborate with organizations like the General Federation of Women's Clubs or the Heart of America Foundation to sponsor your own collection effort.

Chilly weather is the perfect time to get cozy with books. Take a look at our booklists to pick out books for your child's winter reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• Celebrities' Favorite Books
• Hispanic Book List
• 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

August is National Inventors' Month

Read up on famous inventions and the innovative people whose ingenuity has shaped our lives at About.com. 

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August 1:  National KidsDay encourages you to celebrate and honor America's children through the gift of spending meaningful time with them. Contact your local Boys & Girls Club or KidsPeace to find out what's happening in your area on National KidsDay. Resources available through the KidsDay web site offer expert advice on ways to make the most of your time with children.  Suggestions range from books you can read with children of all ages, to suggestions for communicating with young people to help instill a positive sense of belonging and self-esteem. Visit the KidsDay web site for more information.

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August 21 is Christopher Robin’s birthday. Christopher Robin Milne, immortalized in A.A. Milne's books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, was born August 21, 1920. Test your Christopher Robin and Pooh knowledge with the quiz at just-pooh.com. Then settle down with a book and some hunny to share with your honey to commemorate the day.

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August Author Birthdays

Discover these authors for satisfying summer reading:

• Walter Dean Myers, August 12. Prolific and prize-winning author of books for children and young adults. According to his Random House biography, "... Walter Dean Myers came to believe that his work filled a void for African-American youths who yearned for positive reading experiences and role models... It is one of many attributes that has made him one of the most important children's and YA authors writing today." You can access lesson plans and teaching guides utilizing Myers' novels at webenglishteacher.com.
  
• Diana Wynne Jones, August 16. Long one of Britain's most popular writers of fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, Diana Wynne Jones is enjoying increasing exposure in the United States. Many readers, hungry for good books in-between installments of Harry Potter, are discovering that Wynne Jones' Chrestomanci series, Howl's Moving Castle, the Derkholm series and many others, are finely crafted tales of magic, wonder and suspense, infused with sly wit. HarperCollins Publisher maintains a graphics-heavy web site devoted to Wynne Jones that will amaze you with its gorgeous images, but a more useful resource is maintained at Wynne Jones' offical fan site. This site is filled with information about her books, including a review of her latest work, The Merlin Conspiracy, and a question and answer piece in which Wynne Jones discusses at length her personal writing process and the value of magic and fantasy in literature.

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Don't close the books when the school doors close! Children frequently lose reading skills when they don't read during extended vacation. Take a look at our reading lists to plan your child's summer reading:

• Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children
• Kids' Top 100 Books
• African-American Booklist
• Asian-American Booklist
• Spanish/English Bilingual Booklist
• 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know
• Celebrity Book Picks
• 50 State Booklist
• Youth Leaders for Literacy Booklist
• Native American Booklist
• Authors' Favorites Booklist

Send comments to readacross@nea.org

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