Read Across America and Dr.Seuss

I wanted to get a short post out on this cool thing going on in schools this week - Read Across America. Most parents with older kids are probably aware of this. Their official blog tells us that this is the 15th year of RAA. This year the theme is green and kids are being asked to "read for the trees". This maps well with the upcoming Dr.Seuss movie, The Lorax which is an excellent tale on environmental awareness for kids. Sounds corny and one from the treehuggers?. Sure. But I love it. I love the fact that there are Dr.Seuss books all over my sons pre-K classroom. I love that they are reading and learning about trees. I love that they are reading, period.There is also a nice partnership with We Give Books that allows parents and educators to read books to kids and in turn allow the organization to provide books for more kids, keeping the circle alive and serving kids who may not otherwise be able to afford these books. And then there is Dr.Seuss (Theodore Geisel). With every passing day, my appreciation for this writer grows manifold. What he has done in my household and in millions on others the world over is one whose value cannot be measured in hours or dollars. The books trigger a sense of fascination and joy in kids and adults alike. For once, imagination is allowed to roam, here, there and everywhere. Kids are exhorted to think out of the box, something most of sadly lost in the deluge of formal education. Since RAA coincides with Dr.Seuss's birthday, the two events are coupled together nicely to offer kids the opportunity to read Dr.Seuss's books all week. Isnt that awesome?So, lets all celebrate the joy of Dr.Seuss books with our kids this week and help them learn to read cool Dr.Seuss books and develop a sense of appreciation and respect for the environment. And yes, I am one of those tree huggers and proudly so.