The Cat in the Hat turns 50 this year. (Stock photo) |
Fifty years ago, Dr. Seuss answered the challenge to help improve literacy among young children by writing the children’s classic,
The Cat in The Hat, using just 236 words.
To celebrate the popular book’s anniversary and mark Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the National Education Association (NEA) encourages teachers and educators to participate in the 10th annual Read Across America Day. As part of the special day, the NEA and Dr. Seuss Enterprises invite all book lovers to participate in the nationwide read-aloud of The Cat in the Hat at 2:36 p.m. EST, March 2, 2007.
Other suggested activities for the March 2 event include:
- Invite community leaders to be guest speakers in the classroom.
- Have students exchange book recommendations.
- Host a Read-a-Thon or other reading program.
- Have young readers become young authors by binding their stories in book format.
- Start a Reading Buddies program that pairs older students with younger students.
This year, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Books and First Book have partnered to launch Project 236 (so named because of the 236 words in The Cat in the Hat), a nationwide effort to support literacy in the classroom and community. For every Dr. Seuss book purchased between now and May 1 at participating retailers, Random House Children’s Books will donate one new book to First Book, which provides books to children from low-income families.
For more information about Read Across America, visit the NEA’s website. Click here for more information about Project 236.