National Reading Day

March 2 is National Read Across America Day, an annual holiday held by the National Education Association since 1998. It is not a coincidence that the popular American children's author and cartoonist Theodore Seuss Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, was born on this day.

His books have been translated into many languages and for decades have sold millions of copies. Cartoons, musicals and radio shows were made based on his poems, a prestigious literary prize is named after him, and in America there is a park with sculptures of his characters. Many generations of children grew up side by side with the good-natured elephant Horton, the cat in the hat, and Grinch, the evil thief of Christmas.

The main purpose of the Reading Celebration is to draw public attention to the important role reading plays in children's and youth's education, to encourage children to read more books, and to enjoy reading. The National Education Association even gives grants to individual states to support reading instruction and to help celebrate. All elementary schools nationwide, libraries, and numerous community organizations participate.

Elementary schools hold a "Seuss Night" for children under the age of 5 and their parents, where they all read stories, play games and make crafts related to the tales of Dr. Seuss. Various members of the community get involved in this action.  State governors visit schools and take part in reading the Dr. Seuss book to children. Athletes and representatives of university teams travel to schools and read aloud Seuss tales to children and talk about what books they themselves read and why. This celebration lasts an entire week.

In general, all work to arouse interest in the very process of reading, which many elementary school children may initially seem difficult and boring.

 

Mekezhanov Yerassyl, librarian of the Department of the International Book