"Grab your Hat and Read with the Cat" will be the 2013 theme of NEA's Read Across America celebration as we return to the beloved Dr. Seuss tale of mischief and celebrate the joy of reading across the nation on Friday, March 1, this year's official Read Across America Day.

We're busy putting together new resources and materials and will be posting them in the coming weeks and the Cat is getting ready to hit the road, plus the Read Across America team will soon have a new Read Across America calendar poster, new certificates, bookmarks and other resources for your celebrations.

And stay tuned for new and exciting announcements from NEA's read Across America as we celebrate our 16th year of building a nation of readers and sharing our love of reading.

New Seuss store and Cat-a-log

Looking to decorate your school and classroom in Seussian style? NEA Member Benefits has created a new online Seuss store for your celebration. You'll find one of the largest selection of Dr. Seuss products including reading awards, pencils, decore, and so much more. NEA members will get a special 20% discount with no minimum order required plus FREE Shipping for any order of $25 or more.

Looking for Books?

If you serve a high needs student population and are in need of books for your reading event, check out the First Book Marketplace, run by Read Across America partner First Book. They have books by Dr. Seuss and many of your favorite authors at significant discounts. And if you qualify, sign up to become a First Book recipient of free books. 

Join the Read Across America Fan and Cause pages on Facebook

Help us spread the word and build a nation of readers! Through the Read Across America Facebook fan page and cause page you'll be able to share photos, videos, and ideas, plus hear the latest news from NEA's Read Across America and its partners.

Involve all members. For example, bus drivers can set up a reading challenge; cafeteria workers can prepare recipes from your favorite books; and students and higher ed members can get their campus involved in your community. All of them can be guest readers.

1. Team up with Read Across America partners for your event. NEA's Read Across America has more than 50 national organization partners from the American Library Association to Youth Service America. Check out our partners list and find out if there's a local link for you. Don't forget to contact local businesses and organizations. They're great sources of book donations and volunteer readers.
2. Have your mayor, school board, or legislators issue a proclamation. You can use NEA's sample proclamation to create your own. 
3. Hit the airways and read on the radio. Ask your local radio disc jockey to read or even broadcast from your school. They'll love the opportunity.
4. Aim high. Who says high school students won't get involved? High School students love reader's theater and poetry slams, and middle school students can organize book fairs and read to elementary students, or create blogs to engage their peers.
5. Play the pajama game. Invite parents and students to don their pajamas and snuggle up and read in an overnight readathon.
6. Tip your hats to hometown heroes. Have students write to local heroes and ask them about their favorite books. Showcase these hometown heroes and their choices in your reading celebration.
7. Put reading on parade or hold a book lovers' ball. Invite local authors and illustrators and showcase their  books and characters in style.
8. Put on your culture cap. Create a culture cafe and put books on the menu. Your reading recipes can combine food and fiction or nonfiction and offer a taste of reading's great adventures.  
9. Make your reading event a multilingual, multicultural affair. Looking for readers? Why not try storytellers from your ethnic minority communities. Their oral traditions are treasure troves for your students.
10. Team up for reading. Contact your local sports team for guest readers and invite high school marching bands to welcome your students.

Don't forget to pledge your own event on the RAA Facebook Fan Page. You'll find lots of tips and ideas and be able to share your own.