Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/801759
SPRING 2017 | ADVOCATE 19 to a reading of "Green Eggs and Ham," a question and answer session with Dias, "Seuss-tastic" activity stations and a surprise visit from the Cat-in-the-Hat. The campaign by Dias, who just signed a book deal with Scholastic, for more books about girls like her has won many admirers, including Michelle Obama and Ebony magazine. Burton is now reaching a new generation of readers with the "Reading Rainbow" app and its digital library Skybrary, available online, on iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire and Google Play. The Skybrary Family app currently features over 1,000 books. Children can read them alone, or listen to readings by celebrity narrators, and parents can track their child's progress. Following the reading event, NEA hosted a roundtable discussion, "Literacy in America." Eskelsen García, Burton and Dias were joined by Reading is Fundamental (RIF) President Alicia Levi, First Book Chandler Arnold and Alabama media specialist Ashley Strickland. "For 50 years RIF has been inspiring children to read, learn and grow, and we are proud to join in NEA's Read Across America 20th anniversary celebration to focus attention on the need to ignite and sustain in every child a passion for reading," said Levi. "With nearly two-thirds of our fourth graders reading below grade level, it's critical that we work together to address the literacy crisis and ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential. NEA's Read Across America brings much-needed awareness of this critical issue and highlights the joy and fun reading brings into children's lives." In addition to Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House, RIF and First Book there are 30 other national promotional partners, including the American Library Association, PTA, Reading Rockets, Learning First Alliance, United Through Reading and Heart of America Foundation. NEA's Read Across America has attracted some of the biggest names in politics, entertainment and sports. In addition to former First Lady Michelle Obama, past celebrity participants have included Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, Carrie Underwood, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alex Rodriguez, Serena Williams, Selena Gomez, Shaquille O'Neal, and many others. "NEA's Read Across America is an incredible vehicle for focusing attention on the literacy needs and successes of our children, but we know it takes much more than a one-day celebration," said Eskelsen Garcia. "It's the relationships that kids, teachers, librarians, parents, volunteers and other caring community members form with books on that day—relationships that can have a long-term impact on our nation of diverse readers. One day of reading together can ignite a passion for reading. It can provide the spark for reading together every day." Greenway High School Student Council members celebrate Read Across America reading to students at Cactus Wren Elementary School. n