Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
The famed author’s 115th birthday is on March 2nd, and here is how to celebrate: read and help others know the gift of literacy.
The National Education Association (NEA) has the right idea in recognizing this milestone as Read Across America Day, an annual nationwide reading celebration. On this day, schools, libraries, and community centers promote reading for all ages. It is time that businesses step up to advocate for literacy too!
We all can agree that a literate population is important not only for our country, but also for our local community because the cost of illiteracy is too high to ignore.
- Of adults with the lowest literacy levels, 43 percent live in poverty
- Individuals at the lowest literacy and numeracy levels have a higher rate of unemployment and earn lower wages than the national average
- Low literacy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion each year in non-productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment
Low literacy levels may arguably impact our youth even more deeply.
- 34 percent of children entering kindergarten lack the basic language skills needed to learn how to read
- 65 percent of fourth graders read at or below the basic level
- By three years of age, there is a 30 million-word gap between children from the wealthiest and poorest families
- 61% of low-income families do not have any age-appropriate books for their kids at home
- Children growing up in homes without books are on average three years behind children in homes with lots of books
These astounding facts lead to the natural question: what can each of us do to help lower the illiteracy rate in this country?
One of the easiest ways you can help is to give children books. Having access to engaging stories – even just one book – can make a difference in the life of a child. And for those who can, donating many books to an organization that delivers them to those in need will make a difference.
To take it a step further, look at the potential of starting a Little Free Library (LFL) in a part of our community that needs one. Did you know LFL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Hudson, WI? This organization aims to inspire a love of reading, to build community, and to spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges not only in the U.S., but also around the world.
So, on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, I will visit a nearby LFL to donate children’s books. EZOP has also started to explore what we can do to set up a new LFL in a community in need. And on the horizon is a book drive that will collect books and provide them to a school or organization for children in our community.
I hope you, your family, and your business will consider joining me in helping to spread the joy and wonder of literacy – let’s get precious and life-changing books in the hands of more children!
-Rose Molz