...But if you don't already, today is the day to start.
Welcome to World Read Aloud Day, a day when parents, students, educators and people from communities throughout the world come together to address a crucial issue--adult and childhood illiteracy--in a fun, accessible way.
Pam Allyn, founder of World Read Aloud Day and the nonprofit that administers it, LitWorld, is joining us at The Scholastic Store in New York City today, along with students from local NYC schools AND beloved author R.L. Stine. And we're not alone--thousands of people from 60 countries across the world are using this day to make a statement about the importance of reading and reading aloud for kids and adults alike.
In U.S. News and World Report today, we learn that more than 32 million American adults (about 13%) can't read, and nearly 20% of American high school graduates can't read. Meanwhile, across the world there are more than 793 million people who can't read. And 2/3 of them are women and girls. Folks, this is not acceptable.
Here's how we can help. As Pam wrote in this week's Huffington Post artice, "Read Aloud. Change the World," "The message is powerfully clear: Reading aloud to children can close the word gap." Something as simple as reading aloud to a child in your life can build familiarity with words and inspire a love for stories and language. It can show a child that reading, alone or together, has value and worth. We know that reading changes lives, and the ability to read, write, and understand texts has never been more important.
- Here are 100 books parents say they love to read aloud with their kids
- Spring is (almost!) here, so here's a list of great spring-themed read-alouds for kids
- Here, teachers share the read-alouds their students adore
- For those of you doing the reading, here are tips on how to use tone, pace, intensity, and mood to read aloud effectively
- Here are beloved children's book authors and illustrators reading aloud from their own work
Follow along with to-the-minute updates and fun over on the LitWorld Facebook page, the Scholastic Facebook page, and at #wrad on Twitter and Instagram.
What book will YOU be reading aloud today?
