Yay! World Read Aloud Day is coming, and I get to share my love of literacy with you, and a bunch of other people, too. When I first participated a few years ago, I was blown away by how powerful it felt to come together with readers around the world as we celebrated the importance of reading, writing, and sharing stories. I was moved by how many people out there are as passionate about the importance of reading as I am.
This year, for the first time in 10 years, I’m not in a school library, not teaching students each week. But I’m still a reader, and I’m thrilled that my old school has invited me back to join in their WRAD celebration.
This blog challenge is designed to help readers become aware of World Read Aloud Day and what it means in the weeks leading up to World Read Aloud Day March 4. Here are LitWorld founder Pam Allyn’s words to start things off:
Worldwide at least 793 million people remain illiterate.
Imagine a world where everyone can read…
World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology.
By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.
It’s time to join the Global Literacy Movement.
I’ll honor this by getting on with this week’s challenge.
What is your favorite book to read aloud or to hear read aloud and why?
My favorite book to read aloud is…
Superdog: the Heart of a Hero, by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner
This seems an odd thing to say, but I fell in love with this book because of the bully factor. I lived with taunts, jeers, and even being physically picked up and teased for my inability to resist as a person of very small stature when I was young. The feeling of injustice and helpless rage I endured can’t clearly be described to someone who hasn’t lived it.
In this book, tiny, helpless Dexter is subjected to injustice, but still, he dreams big dreams that center on helping others. In spite of the challenges he faces, he not only determines to change himself for the better, but his actions end up helping others to do the same. That underdog factor speaks to me loud and clear, and I know it speaks to kids. I can tell from watching their faces each time I share this book.
Add to this the sweet humor that is exemplified in Dexter, a short-legged dachsund, puffing his weakling self around the block one more time, and lifting weights until he can examine his growing biceps in the mirror. His expressions are priceless. His solutions to problems are caring and thoughtful. His dreams are boundless, and I am made a better person by his story.
I’m excited to celebrate World Read Aloud Day with two learning communities this year.
I’ll be tweeting everything reading related my old-school shares with me all week March 2-6, and celebrating with them in person on the fourth, first attending their World Read Aloud assembly in the morning, then reading to some classes and popping in to hear other guests read throughout the morning.
The next day, I’ll meet a dear friend and former colleague’s students and read with them in their ESL class. They will be celebrating in their own special way on World Read Aloud Day, and I hope to share some of their experiences with you.
I’m so excited to share the joys of reading with two learning communities and to get to read together with primary students as well as adult language learners and their young children.
Are you interested in celebrating literacy along with us? You can join the movement. Just visit http://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday for activities and information.
Do you have a favorite book to read aloud? Please share!
The Best of It 
Very cool! I personally always loved reading out loud Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to the kids I nanny. 🙂 Just loved the rhythm and flow of that one. But there are plenty of other good ones out there too, especially ones with lots of characters where I could change up my voice and make the kids laugh.
That’s such a great book! The books that make me (and my listeners) want to move are so fun to read aloud. Thanks for sharing!