TO: NEA Board of Directors
FROM: Carol Bauer, Chair, Read Across America Advisory Committee
RE: Preview of 2019-2020 Read Across America Program
This memo provides you with an update on upcoming changes to the Read Across America program to take effect for the 2019-2020 school year.
Background and Overview
Since 1998, NEA’s Read Across America program has generated enthusiasm for reading nationwide, raised public awareness for children’s literacy, and supported educators, parents, and others in their ongoing efforts to motivate students to read. Since 2003, Read Across America has been the nation’s largest reading event, with 45 million participants each year, due largely in part from member-driven events and activities on March 2nd, which is “NEA’s Read Across America Day.”
As NEA’s Read Across America program has evolved since then, NEA has taken steps to appeal to a more diverse student population and all grade levels. Our student population continues to grow and is more diverse. By next year, the time that the 2020 census is conducted, more than half of the nation’s children are expected to be part of a minority race or ethnic group.
Our emphasis is now on books that students can see themselves reflected in, as well as books that allow readers to see a world or character that might be different than them.
NEA has expanded its work to “Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers” by providing members with a print and digital Read Across America resource calendar and poster, featuring 36 books to help guide them in planning Read Across America year-round events and activities. You can find out more at readacrossamerica.org.
To fully realize our goal of a nation of diverse readers, NEA is in the process of re-branding Read Across America to appeal to a wider audience (all grade levels, ages, and background) and will result in a new logo and branded materials to replace the current logo (Cat in the Hat leaning over U.S. map). The program will be fully re-branded with new materials available in time for the 2019-2020 school year, providing a more accurate brand identity for Read Across America, one that is independent of one particular book, publisher, or character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this mean we can no longer use Dr. Seuss related materials for our Read Across America events and activities?
Logo: NEA’s licensing agreement with Dr. Seuss Enterprises ends August 31, 2019. As a result, NEA will no longer use the Cat in the Hat image in the jointly-owned Read Across America (RAA) logo (Cat in the Hat leaning over U.S. map.) The new logo, that NEA will fully own, will be unveiled at the RA and the program will a brand identity,
Books: Members may still use Seuss books, decorations; however, we encourage them to take a look at the resource calendar and try something new, especially for older students.
Giveaways: All new Read Across America bookmarks, stickers, and other giveaways will be available online to download or purchase from the Read Across America store.
Decorations: Generally, home-made types of decorations are still allowed; however, the use of Seuss intellectual property (e.g. images copied from books and movies) cannot be used w/o prior approval from Seuss.
Cat in the Hat “mascot”: NEA and several state affiliates may no longer use either of the two “official” mascot costumes—the original gray Cat w/long neck and more recent black and white Cat implemented in 2007. Members may still purchase costumes and other Seuss-approved items from retailers, if necessary.
Q: Does this affect Read Across America Day on March 2 (which is also Dr. Seuss’s birthday)
NEA, its state and local affiliates, and members nationwide will celebrate Read Across America Day on Monday, March 2, 2020. NEA is also encouraging members to celebrate National Library Month, also in March, and International Literacy Day (September 8) with reading events and activities. The program will place a greater emphasis on year-round resources for Members.
Read Across America offers limitless opportunities for involvement in children’s reading throughout the year. The year-round program can fit reading fun into your calendar daily, weekly, or monthly and includes big celebrations of reading on March 2 and throughout the year.
Q: How
do I get copies of the books featured in the RAA resource calendar?
NEA has partnered with First Book’s Marketplace to help NEA members obtain books featured by Read Across America. Visit the NEA page on the First Book Marketplace to find titles featured in the calendar and the poster, as well as other high-quality titles.
First Book makes these titles available at affordable prices to educators serving children in need. Sign up at firstbook.org/register. Several titles featured in the poster, not available from First Book, are available from Scholastic (scholastic.com/teachers/home/)
Q: Who Participates in Read Across America?
Each year, 45 million people—NEA members, librarians, parents, students, community leaders, politicians, actors, athletes, grandparents—develop Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages.
Q:
I’ve never organized a Read Across America activity. Where do I
start?
Use the book and activity suggestions in the RAA resource calendar and the resources at readacrossamerica.org to bring Read Across America to your community. Contact your local school, local affiliate, library, or bookstore about planning or participating in an event.
In the fall 2019, NEA will host several webcasts and/or Facebook Live events to help Members to generate ideas and plan events and activities. The October issue of NEA Today will also feature a “member’s guide to Read Across America.”
Q: Where Do I Get Read Across America logo items and additional copies of the print calendar?
The 2019-20 Read Across America Resource Calendar is a benefit of NEA membership. NEA members may order up to 5 print calendars each online while supplies last by visiting the Read Across America Online Store at http://www.raastore.com/site/ (Postage and shipping not included.) Please note: the 2019-2020 calendar will be available to order in July 2019.
Also in the Read Across America store, starting in summer 2019, you’ll find new logo items and additional low-cost items to use in your classroom, library or wherever you are reading.
Q: Which books will be featured for the 2019-2020 program?
Since 2007, the Read Across America resource calendar has featured hundreds of award-winning, newer children’s books. This year’s calendar and accompanying poster and online curriculum, features 36 recommended books (12 titles for young readers; 12 for middle grade readers; and 12 for teen readers) for year-long reading activities.
An expanded digital resource calendar is available at: readacrossamerica.com. We are asking all NEA members to use the resource calendar as a guide, but that they know best what works in their classrooms and libraries.
While “NEA’s Read Across America Day” often featured Seuss books and characters, the program has, for over 10 years, emphasized the need for diverse books and authors to inspire a growing diverse student population to read. The goal is to provide diverse books, authors, and themes.
The
2019-2020 Read Across America program will officially start in August
2019 by featuring the book All
Are Welcome,
by Alexandra Penfold, to help educators start the school year off
right by welcoming students and families with books and back to
school reading fun!
Q: How is the print RAA resource calendar different from the new digital RAA calendar?
This year, NEA also launched an expanded digital resources calendar, making it easy for educators and other children’s literature lovers to find educator-recommended books that “Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers.” The digital calendar provides expanded content, such as classroom activities, videos, resources, and ideas based on the 36 books recommended for the 2019-2020 school year. It is available at: readacrossmerica.org
Q: Will the Read Across America “State Event Grants” return for the 2019-20 year?
Yes. NEA will continue to assist State Affiliates with their RAA plans and activities with the RAA State Event Grant program. Applications will be available in October 2019.
Q: What is the role of the Read Across America “Advisory Committee?”
Since the program began in 1998, the Read Across America Advisory Committee has served as a committee of NEA members serving on the NEA Board. They review and provide feedback on member-focused content (such as the resource calendar, digital calendar, and web site) and the Association’s work to “Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers” by highlighting diverse authors and books for an increasingly diverse student population across America.
Q: Who do NEA Board Members go to for more information?
Please feel free to contact Steven Grant, sgrant@nea.org, 202-822-7272, associate director of NEA Communications or Carol Bauer, Chair, Read Across America Advisory Committee, cdbauer@mac.com.