Jump Into Reading During National Reading Month
For bookish types, every day is a day to celebrate reading. But for the rest of the world, March is National Reading Month. Aside from honoring the written word all on your own with your family, you might want to think about joining in on the fun all year long with Read Across America and its yearlong salute to story.
Why March?
Of the 12 months to choose from, why do we celebrate reading in March? The answer is pretty simple — Dr. Seuss!
In honor of the renowned children’s book author whose birthday is March 2, National Reading Month is in March. In addition, National Reading Day is March 2 and National Reading Week kicks off on the same day.
What Is Read Across America?
If you have children in preschool or kindergarten, you may have heard about Read Across America. However, you may be wondering what it is and what its connection to National Reading Month is.
The National Education Association (NEA) started Read Across America back in the late 90s with the goal of becoming the nation’s largest celebration of reading. It partners with schools, parents, and libraries all year long (not just in March) to promote reading any way it can. They double down in March, though, and do everything they can to support National Reading Month and all it stands for.
Book Lists by Age
Any of these titles are sure to be great crowd pleasers for families looking for books that would be great to read aloud.
Baby & Toddler (0-2)
- “Baby Feels” by Thalita Dol
An adorable board book about how babies feel.
- “Baby’s First Passover”
This introduction to Passover highlights the traditions of the springtime celebration.
- “Brushy Brush!” by Andrea Posner-Sanchez
This board book shows kids the right way to brush with some help from Elmo.
- “First Words of Easter”
This book tells the story of Easter in bite-sized pieces.
- “Global Baby Grandparents” by Maya Ajmera
This photo-illustrated board book celebrates the special bond shared between babies all over the world and their grandparents.
- “Let’s Be Brave” by Leah Osakwe
This board book empowers children to look within themselves to find the courage and confidence to be who they are meant to be.
- “Little Gardener’s First 100 Words” by Tenisha Bernal
From bugs to tools, this book is filled with things found in the garden.
- “My First Dino-Boarding” by Lisa Wheeler
A book that introduces surfing and skateboarding and incorporates dinosaurs? Yes, please!
- “Ooo, Baby Baby! A Little Book of Love” by Sandra Boynton
A baby bunny marvels at the changing seasons and plays with everyday objects in unexpected ways.
- “Teeny Tiny Bunny” by Rachel Matson
Join a little bunny on a big adventure through the vegetable garden.
- “The Great Easter Egg Hunt” by Rachel Piercey
Join Bear and his friends as they set off to find and count 100 eggs.
- “Trains Trains Trains!: Find Your Favorite!” by Donna David
This rhyming preschool picture book encourages pre-reading skills and expands language and vocabulary.
- “Why Does It Rain?: Weather With the Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
Featuring Eric Carle’s classic illustrations, nature comes to life in this series centered around weather.
Preschool (Ages 3-5)
- “Are You Big?” by Mo Willems
A simple question sends readers to the far reaches of the universe.
- “Cranky” by Phuc Tran
Cranky is feeling cranky in a story about big trucks, big feelings, and big friendships.
- “Escargot and the Search for Spring” by Dashka Slater
In this tale of unlikely friendship, Escargot the French snail ventures out into the world searching for signs of spring.
- “Hair Oil Magic” by Anu Chouhan
Meenu discovers the magic in her culture’s tradition of hair oiling and the bond she shares with her mother and grandmother.
- “I Am Not the Easter Bunny!” by T.L. McBeth
Despite the vest, bowtie, and Easter egg painting, a bunny insists that he is NOT the Easter Bunny.
- “I Do Not Eat Children” by Marcus Cutler
A monster claims he would never eat a child as the children playing around him suspiciously disappear one by one.
- “Mamas and Babies” by Christie Matheson
Learn about fourteen pairs of animal mothers and their babies.
- “Natural Me” by MzVee
This picture book from award-winning musician MzVee teaches young girls about self-empowerment, sisterhood, and embracing their natural selves.
- “Pikachu’s First Friends” by Rikako Matsuo
Join Pikachu as it discovers new places, foods, music, and friends.
- “Seoul Food” by Erin Danielle Russell
A young girl decides to cook a meal that represents both her Korean and Southern heritages.
- “Snail in Space” by Rachel Bright
Gail the snail is willing to do what it takes to achieve her dream of traveling to outer space.
- “The Wrong Book” by Drew Daywalt
The narrator of this book is wrong about everything until the characters within the story set him straight.
- “What’s New, Daniel?” by Micha Archer
A curious little boy explores his neighborhood, finding out what is new with his friends and neighbors.
- “You Are Fearless: A Book for the Littlest Taylor Swift Fans” illustrated by Laura Catrinella. This read-aloud book encourages children to be fearless, defy limits, and follow their hearts.
Great No Matter the Age
- “I’m Terrified of Bath Time” by Simon Rich
A bathtub, who is just as terrified of bath time as the little girl who bathes in him, offers suggestions on how to make the experience better for both of them.
- “A Good Place” by Lucy Cousins
Bee, Ladybug, Beetle, and Dragonfly are looking for a good place to live. And they each want something different.
- “I Am Stuck” by Julia Mills
Turtle is stuck on their back, unable to flip over.
- “I Was Born a Baby” by Meg Fleming
This read-aloud story introduces baby animals and shows how some share their names with several other species.
- “Mister Kitty Is Lost!” by Greg Pizzoli
A child and dog search for a lost pet, Mister Kitty, as the child describes what Mister Kitty looks like to the reader.
- “My Dad Is a Tree” by Jon Agee
A little girl convinces her dad to be a tree all day long — no matter what.
- “No Is All I Know” by Chris Grabenstein
Oliver says no to everything until his cousin comes to visit and Oliver discovers all that is possible when you say yes.
- “Problem Solved!” by Jan Thomas
When Pete the Problem-Solving Porcupine’s plan causes a mess, Rabbit needs to quickly come up with her own strategy to clean her room before chaos ensues.
- “The Best Bad Day Ever” by Marianna Coppo
When Wolfie wakes up, he knows it’s going to be a bad day. But when a kindred grumpy Penguin friend arrives, Wolfie’s bad day becomes a whole lot brighter.
- “Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great!” by Sandra Boynton
An exuberant chicken has an important message to share: Trying your best is reason enough to celebrate.
Open a Book!
Obviously, reading books isn’t something that should only be done in the month of March. But if you’re looking for a reason to read more with your child, National Reading Month is the perfect reason to start. Have fun perusing your local library, choosing titles with your kids, and spending time diving into stories that enrich their minds and strengthen their relationship with you.
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