Read Across America - March 2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Each year, the California Teachers Association sends me the CTA/NEA Read Across America press kit.  It arrived today. "Sink Your Teeth into a Good Book" is the 2012 theme.  Read Across America is celebrated on March 2, Dr. Seuss' Birthday.  Materials from the press kit are also online at cta.org


The California School Library Association (CSLA) has contributed a list of recommended reading.


CTA's sponsors for READ ACROSS AMERICA are:

Major League Soccer teams LA Galaxy and Chivas USA (new)

American Federation of Television & Radio Artists	First Financial Credit Union
Barnes & Noble	Los Angeles County Fire Department
California Library Association	Scholastic
California Professional Firefighters	See’s Candy
California School Library Association	Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes Restaurants

Big-Eye Readers - New Characters

The California Campaign for Strong School Libraries has added two new characters to its collection and thanks to high votes from an earlier poll, it has created a coloring page contest for libraries and any establishment that serves children and loves reading. Print the PDF or png by visiting csla.net and search "Big-Eye Readers".  Suggest new characters by taking the poll.


Another high vote from the poll is the interest in using the individual characters in library newsletters or librarian columns in school or local publications.  All that we ask is that if you use the readers, you properly acknowledge the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries at librarycampaign.csla.net  To request individual images in png format for your publications, contact Library Advocate at info@csla.net

The new Big-Eye Reader characters have been added to the Campaign's LIBRARY [ADVOCACY] STORE.

Read Across America -- Start Planning!

Anaheim Union High School District (CA) high school teacher librarian Heather Gruenthal says, "It's time to start thinking about Read Across America Week -- first week in March! This is a great event to get good publicity. Here's my page of ideas from our District. Also, Kohl's Cares for Kids program is offering Dr Seuss Books and Plush for $5 each. Titles include: The Lorax, If I Ran the Circus, the Foot Book, and Oh, The Things You Can Think."

NEA now has a "Read Across America" Facebook page. Check it out.

If you are crazy for everything Seuss, check out the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden and Seussville catalog.

Serve Up a Good Book - March 2

Just got "Serve Up a Good Book" Read Across America kit from the California Teachers Association. Includes Recommended Reading list by the California School Library Association. Excellent collaboration! To order kits, contact Sheri Miyamoto at 562-478-1361 or smiyamoto@CTA.org

Read Across America is March 2, 2010

Library Themes - March

Advocating for libraries is on-going, not a one-shot effort. One way to stay visible is to regularly contribute to print or online publications. Some contributions can be about issues of the day and how libraries or specific library programs are the solution. Or, provide fun items such as library themes. In March, two examples come to mind: "Read Across America" day on or near Dr. Seuss's birthday and James Madison's birthday, March 16 -- Freedom of Information Day.

Read Across America Day is geared to younger ages, but is fun for all. Each year, more and more people own those tall red and white striped "Cat in the Hat" hats. This is a good time for photo opportunities on kids, books, and Cat in the Hat readers.

The American Library Association celebrates Freedom of Information Day. Free and open access to information created at taxpayer expense is a basic principle of American democracy. This is a day to celebrate, be vigilant, and exercise your right to know. This is also a good day to learn about today's battles in America to keep public information free, versus privatizing information in our increasingly online world. This is also a good day to learn about other countries where national libraries have been burned or otherwise destroyed in order to destroy a people's history.

Dear Mr. President - NEA and Kidthing

AASL (American Association of School Librarians) announced that NEA (National Education Association) and kidthing®, are inviting American children to share their hopes, dreams, and ideas with President-elect Barack Obama.

What to do: children send in their ideas in the form of letters or drawings by mail or e-mail attachments. Top submissions will be featured in kidthing's Dear Mr. President digital book which will be unveiled in the kidthing store on President's Day, February 16, 2009. kidthing will offer the digital book for free. A limited edition print will also be sent to the White House.

When: Deadline for submissions is January 20, 2009.