Celebrate Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day Every April 12

• By NSC
• 2 Comments.

 

 

Readers rejoice! You have another day to celebrate on April 12. It’s D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read Day).

That sounds suspiciously like permission to ignore all other responsibilities and just dive headlong into a book!

Now officially the nationwide campaign just encourages families to take at least 30 minutes to read together.

But aren’t you supposed to celebrate a day, well, all day?!

Yes, we think so too.

Drop Everything and Read Day happens on Beverly Cleary’s birthday, April 12. She wrote about D.E.A.R. in her book Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Children had written to her about the D.E.A.R. programs in their schools. She thought it was a great idea for Ramona’s class and included it in her book.

Since then the D.E.A.R. concept has gotten more and more popular. That’s why D.E.A.R Day is on her birthday.

In fact, it’s gotten so popular that Drop Everything and Read has become month-long celebration during all of April. But April 12 is still special.

D.E.A.R. is a collaborative effort, sponsored by a group of education-related organizations:

• National Education Association (NEA)
• Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children
• Reading Rockets
• The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)
• The American Press Institute
• First Book
• HarperCollins Children’s Books
• Read Kiddo Read
• Walden Media

 

Many schools also have regular D.E.A.R. Time (not just in April), letting kids read whatever books they’d like.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this fun unofficial holiday.

 

How to Celebrate Drop Everything and Read Day

Read!

The day is actually aimed at children and families. But there’s certainly no rule that says anyone who loves reading can’t celebrate too.

In fact, many libraries hold special Drop Everything and Read Day events. Maybe they need volunteers to help make the events a success. If so, consider volunteering.

Of course, if you have kids, bring them to an event.

Visit your local bookstore and explore, looking for new titles or authors to try. Used bookstores (yes, they still exist!) are a goldmine for fascinating finds that won’t break the bank.

Find a variety of activities and resources for D.E.A.R. Day at these sites:

• Reading Rockets
• The official D.E.A.R. website (We had trouble reaching the site the last time we tried. If you do too, try the Internet Archive version. The links we tried all worked).

 

Consider exploring some of Beverly Cleary’s favorite authors. According to an interview she did with Barns and Noble in 2002, they include:

• James Thurber
• Barbara Pym
• Anne Lamott

 

And whether or not you have kids, maybe you’d like to rediscover the world of Ramona Cleary and her sister Beezus.

How will you be celebrating Drop Everything and Read Day? With a favorite book? A new book? Hosting a D.E.A.R. event?

Share!

 

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