Dr. Seuss Reading Challenge

I have a confession to make. I don’t like Dr. Seuss books.

Or, at least, I thought I didn’t.

What reasons did I give to the people I’ve told this to? I didn’t like his illustrations. I didn’t like all the words he made up. I thought his stories dragged. Hollywood turned me off by their mediocre movie adaptations.

Yet, I’m quite fond of giving his books away as gifts, especially “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!” And “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is one of my most favorite books ever– even choosing it as one of the most influential books in my life.

When I tell people I don’t like his books, they’re quite surprised considering that I want to be a children’s book writer. Wouldn’t I want my books to last as long as his has? Wouldn’t I want my stories to be remembered and cherished from generation to generation?

He is one of those people who has left such an enormous impact in our culture and the world of literature (not just children’s) that it’s almost impossible to imagine growing up without some sort of Seussical exposure. The (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award is given to authors and illustrators for the most distinguished books for beginning readers. His birthday is celebrated by holding an annual literacy awareness event- Read Across America.

I decided that even though (I thought) I didn’t like his books that I would at least read all his books and learn from them. How did they become fixtures of children’s bookshelves the world over? What was it about his stories and the way he wrote them that made them such classics? And, so another reading challenge was born!

In fact, it was during this reading challenge that I realized I was wrong. I liked his books. The illustrations were fine. The stories were enjoyable.

I’m getting what the big deal is all about.

What are your favorite Dr. Seuss books? Were you like me and didn’t like his books but now you actually do? Or, do you still not like them?

Read Across America

Every day I celebrate reading.

Every day I celebrate books- and the writers and illustrators who make them possible.

Every day I celebrate the teachers, booksellers and librarians who promote this activity to their students and to their communities.

Every day I celebrate the power of words to move people- and their ability to bring them together.

I’m not alone in these celebrations, I know. In a previous post, I talked about World Book Night and how they’re doing their part to promote literacy. On April 23rd, they’re giving away a million books in four different countries worldwide.

But, before that, the National Education Association (NEA) is holding their annual Read Across America event. Every March 2nd (the birth date of Dr. Seuss), activities are thrown all over the country to motivate children to read- and to make them aware how important it is to have reading a part of their lives.

This year’s theme centers around “The Lorax.” Not only is it one of his most beloved and important books, a film adaptation will also be released that day.

I made a pledge to spread the word about Read Across America to everyone I know. I want everyone to be able to participate in this event! You can make a pledge, as well.

Now in its fifteenth year, Read Across America continues to grow and get better. Check out the site for more information on how to get involved, to get some ideas on what you can do, and to see what’s happening in your town on March 2nd. Let’s make the day Seussical!

World Book Night

World Book Night was an initiative that started in the UK in 2011 to share the love of reading and books with people in their communities.

A year later, it has grown to include Ireland, Germany and the US as well. On April 23, 2012, tens and thousands of people in these countries will be handing out a million books!

How does it work?

First of all, they select the books. It’s as difficult as it sounds, I’m sure. From all the published books there ever was, they had to choose 30! They relied on the advice of booksellers and librarians and gauged the books’ popularity and accessibility using lists and lists of top sellers, award winners, book club selections, and other factors.

Then, they ask for volunteers- willing participants who’ll pick a title they’re passionate about and place them in the hands of non-readers. As someone who loves to share books with others, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of this so I signed up to be a giver. (World Book Night US has extended the deadline to register until Monday, February 6, midnight EST, so if any of you are interested, there’s still time!)

I’ve oversimplified the process that people have spent months working on so please check out their site for more information!

When they announced the books, I was excited to see which ones would be on the list. Have I read any of them before? Of the ones I hadn’t, were they something I’d want to check out? The answers were yes and yes. I was also surprised at how many kids and YA books made it on, further proving that great books aren’t limited to the categories (and, in extension, readership demographic) they are assigned.

Here are the books:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie**
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson**
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Friday Night Lights H.G. Bissinger
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card**
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins**
Blood Work by Michael Connelly
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo*
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The Stand by Stephen King
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Just Kids by Patti Smith
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak**

*Children’s Books
**Young Adult

Can you guess which one was the most requested? The Hunger Games, of course. And, The Book Thief came in a close second.

Here’s a short recap video of last year’s WBN in the UK.

I am looking forward to handing out one of my favorite books on April 23. And, I hope World Book Night continues to be successful to become an annual worldwide event!