Read Across America Day, established by the National Education Association in 1998, falls on March 2nd, coinciding with the birth date of Dr. Seuss. Traditionally, elementary schools nationwide have observed this week by commemorating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. It’s a lively scene with kids donning the iconic Cat in the Hat hat and gleefully reciting passages like “one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish” during read-aloud sessions celebrating the beloved author.
However, a few years ago, an eye-opening article prompted me to reassess how I celebrate this day with my children. If you’re not familiar with Dr. Seuss or Theodor Geisel’s history, I encourage you to read the article—it certainly prompted a shift in my approach to this holiday.
Nowadays, I approach the holiday in three distinct ways. Firstly, throughout the year, I make it a point to read a diverse range of books to my son, exposing him to a multitude of cultures and perspectives. Secondly, I strive to cultivate a culture of reading within my household, encouraging my three sons to immerse themselves in the world of literature. And finally, I love to complement our reading adventures with engaging activities that bring the stories to life.
My son’s enthusiasm for reading is contagious, and I’m passionate about nurturing that love for books within him. It’s crucial to me that he reads books featuring characters from various cultures, genders, and backgrounds—it’s through these stories that we teach invaluable lessons about kindness, acceptance, and empathy.
I often seek out book recommendations from our local librarians and follow several Instagram accounts such as @booksfordiversity, @readwithriver or @picturebookplaydate. Here’s some books I recommend to you guys:
- We are Family by Patricia Hegarty
- Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
- El Cucuy is Scared, Too by Donna Barba Higuera
- All Around Us by Xelena González
- Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
- Say Hello by Rachel Isadora
Books To Diversity Your Read Across America Day
- My Two Border Towns by David Bowles
- Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
- Turning Point by Paula Chase
- Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha
In recent years, Read Across America has undergone a rebranding to spotlight books that reflect the rich diversity of America. Below, I’ve curated a collection of thematically diverse children’s books from different regions of the United States. Each book represents a unique culture, experience, or background, chosen based on the author’s or illustrator’s hometown, or the protagonist’s hometown. These books will undoubtedly enrich your Read Across America Day celebration with a vibrant tapestry of stories that celebrate our nation’s diversity.
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