celebrating literacy

While I was away on vacation last week, the Nation celebrated reading in many ways. Kicking things off is National March into Literacy—a month-long celebration of reading and writing. Literacy month is celebrated in homes, schools, and libraries with parades, community readers, and special events, including Read Across America which celebrates students’ ability to read, learn, grow, and dream. As a children’s book author, I have a newfound appreciation for this time to help get children, families, and communities excited about and appreciate books.

Why March? To honor beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss whose birthday is March 2nd. Dr. Seuss had a special way of combining silliness, fun, and learning. During my journey to becoming a children’s book author, I rediscovered the imaginative adventures that Seuss created using my favorite form of writing: rhythm and rhyme. Lyrical writing is both challenging and rewarding.

National Grammar Day is also celebrated annually on March 4th (you should definitely look up why!). Grammar is absolutely essential to being an author as it is one of the cornerstones of being a writer. Every time I hear the word grammar, I think back to my English class as a freshman in high school where my love-hate relationship with grammar began: where and when to use the Oxford comma; the proper use of their, there, and they’re; and the joys of diagraming sentences. Oh, what respect I have for grammar as a writer!