Here we are already on day three of March. In addition to welcoming more daylight and warmth into our lives, we celebrate Read Across America week, National Women’s Month and Music in Our School Month. It’s not the easiest time in our country right now, so it’s good to have reasons to celebrate, to reflect, and to come together.

In 1998, the National Education Association launched Read Across America. The goal is to celebrate the joys of reading in schools and homes across the nation. This celebration always begins on March 2, the birthday of Theodore Giesel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Seuss’ many books for children had a significant impact. His rhyming books and characters have universal appeal. They make us laugh and can also prompt deep thinking and discussion.

In many schools, this entire week, is devoted to a myriad of reading activities and celebrations. In fact, if you’re a parent, you might be cursing Dr. Seuss about now because, most likely, you will be tasked with dressing your child in a particular color, sending in a snack, showing up for a performance at school or lots of other inventive events that will snatch some of your precious time. I get it. Been there, done that, as both a parent and teacher.

With that said, it is a joyful week and I urge you to embrace the spirit of it and remember the amazing benefits of reading to our children, with our children and on our own. Perhaps you will even find time to rummage around your home and pull out a favorite book (not necessarily Dr. Seuss) to share with your kids.

The Cat in the Hat is my favorite Seuss book. Maybe that’s because I never tired of sharing it with my kids, grandkids and students, or maybe it’s because I’m in love with weighted line, “What would you do if your mother asked you?.” Care to share your favorite Seuss book?