“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

These inspirational words are attributed to Dr. Seuss, who we celebrate this week. Read Across America Week is held March 2-6.

The annual event celebrates Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, on the anniversary of his birthday. He was born March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Mass. He died in 1991.

The celebration encourages a love of reading and celebrating the power of books. Additionally, it helps kick off National Reading Month, recognized in March.

According to Child Mind Institute, reading to children not only increases language skills, but it helps them learn more general information about the world and helps build empathy and a better understanding of handling challenging feelings. The connection made while reading together can also deepen a relationship.

“Even a few minutes of reading together gives you and your child a chance to slow down and connect with each other,” Child Mind Institute reports. “The sensory experience of sitting with you and hearing your voice also engages their brain in a way that makes learning easier.”

Read Across America is generally celebrated with additional reading adventures and activities. Many schools also encourage dress-up themes based around Dr. Seuss books such as wearing silly hats or socks, dressing in clothing with words on them, dressing up like a Dr. Seuss character, etc.

National Education Association recommends celebrating Read Across America this year with “story, sound and song” by utilizing music and songs to cultivate community, reflect culture and history and tell powerful stories. Some suggested activities include holding a story concert or character karaoke party, talking to a local or school band, incorporating rhythms while reading, singing a book and more.

Additionally, NEA is using Read Across America to celebrate a nation of diverse readers. Reading or experiencing stories by authors of diverse backgrounds is encouraged.

While Read Across America is generally celebrated in schools to encourage reading for children, reading is important for teens and adults, too. Reading is known to help reduce stress, prevent cognitive decline, enhance concentration, improve sleep and — most importantly, in my opinion — encourage imagination.

According to 95 Percent Group, reading can actually change the wiring in your brain.

“One of the significant ways reading affects the brain is through perspective taking,” the organization reports. “When you read and find yourself thinking about the characters in the book as if they are real people, with perspectives possibly very different than your own, it allows for growth of emotional intelligence and empathy. When your brain is deeply engaged in reading, you have a huge increase in brain activity — and not just in the language centers.”

Maryanne Wolf, literacy scholar and professor of childhood development, reports we don’t just read about the book characters’ experiences, we also live them. This deepening of empathy helps us evolve as more caring and understanding people with a greater focus on the larger world experience beyond just our own lives and problems.

I am a firm believer in staying young at heart — and mind — as you get older. Engaging in reading, particularly fiction, and playing games can help keep the imaginative juices flowing. Fun is not just for the young.

Take advantage of one of our nation’s greatest assets — libraries. Get yourself a library card and unlock all the wonders your local library can offer.

Enjoy March, and take some time to get lost in a good book or two this month.

Mostly importantly, remember the words of Dr. Seuss: “I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”

Samantha Anderson

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press