Natural State News

The Arkansas Education Association (AEA) is inviting children, parents and families to join the Read Across America celebration, according to a March 2 Facebook post by the AEA.

Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by dedicated educators, the Read Across America program is a nationwide celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.

Read Across America focuses on inclusion and diversity when choosing which titles to include in the program and will feature books that students can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow readers to see a world or a character that might be different than them.

"NEA’s Read Across America uplifts inclusive stories so that kids across the country can see themselves reflected in a book," Marley Dias, Founder and Ambassador of Read Across America said. "Join us in making reading fun for every reader."

The following three titles were selected for the month of March to fit the month's theme which is "Cultivate Compassion." 

"Tiara’s Hat Parade" by Kelly Starling Lyons is a story about how Tiara rallies the community to help revive her mother’s hat-making business when a new store opens that sells cheaper hats.

"Each Tiny Spark" by Pablo Cartaya follows Emilia, who has ADHD, and her efforts on rebuilding her relationship with her father who is back from military deployment, and handling injustice and prejudice she discovers in her Atlanta suburb.

"They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott is an autobiographical graphic novel that follows a young George Takei and his family during the U.S. government's incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Readers wishing to participate in the celebration are encouraged to contact their local school, education association, library or bookstore about planning and participating.

Educators, librarians, teachers, authors and avid readers are invited to join the Read Across America Facebook group to share resources, ideas and experiences as Read Across America celebrates a nation of diverse readers.