Saturday, April 12, 2008

D.E.A.R. Day

Today is National Drop Everything and Read Day!

What is National D.E.A.R. Day?
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.

Who Is Leading the National D.E.A.R. Day Celebration?
The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association; Reading Rockets; The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAA); First Book; HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Ramona Quimby.

When is National D.E.A.R. Day?
The National D.E.A.R. Day partners are marking the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary as the official event date, April 12th. Ramona Quimby, who was in charge of spreading the word about National D.E.A.R. Day last year, is relinquishing the National Spokesperson role in 2007 to actress Emma Roberts, star of Nickelodeon's Unfabulous and the upcoming Nancy Drew movie.

Why is National D.E.A.R. Day celebrated on Beverly Cleary’s birthday?
Beverly Cleary receives thousands of letters a year from young readers, many who have participated in D.E.A.R. at school. Their interest in and enthusiasm for this special reading activity inspired Mrs. Cleary to give the same experience to Ramona Quimby, who gets to enjoy D.E.A.R. time with the rest of her class in Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

How Can I Participate?
Schools, libraries, bookstores and other organizations are being asked to host Drop Everything and Read events on April 12. You can attend an event in your community or participate right in your own home by reading for 30 minutes!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd love to do it if I can do it at home. No, wait. That's no different than any other day around here.

I feel naked without my book

Elizabeth said...

I did my part today, I read a couple hundred pages today.

Oh, I've been tagged, so now you have too! Tag, you're it!