World Read Aloud Day.....March 9, 2011

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 is World Read Aloud Day.
WRAD was started by LitWorld.
LitWorld is an international non-profit organization, whose goal is to

"...cultivate literacy leaders worldwide through transformational literacy experiences that build connection, understanding, resilience and strength. We work with teachers, parents, community members, and children to support the development of literacy and the redemptive power of story in the world's most vulnerable communities."

All over the U.S. there are groups and individuals planning reading activities.  LitWorld is even hosting a 24-Hour Read-Aloud Marathon all day on March 9 in Times Square. Check your area to see if there are any activities planned or plan youe own World Read Aloud Day celebration.

Check out some of my previous blogs for book ideas and activities.

LitWorld's Reading Decree (this statement is found on LitWorld's Blog to be used by anyone hosting a WRAD event)

Today is World Read Aloud Day.
We are uniting our voices in cities and communities across the globe.
We celebrate the power of stories and words to change worlds.
We join our voices for quality literacy education for every child worldwide.
Today 774 million people cannot read or write. They are denied the joy and light of reading every day.
Education is a human right and a means to attaining other human rights that we declare to be universal.
Literacy education improves the health of children and families, spurs economic growth and advances equality.
For many children worldwide, quality education is the difference between life and death, between hope and despair and being able to make the most of one’s potential. This is our opportunity to give voice to the future.
By coming together and raising our voices on this day, we show the world’s children that we support their lives: that they have the right to read, to write and to share their stories to change the world.
Today I pledge my passion for quality education and my support for the cause of literacy. I encourage everyone to take part in this day and this cause.        As a representative of my community, I will continue to advocate for the causes most important to us and I encourage all of you to join me in the fight for our children and all children’s futures.
In observance of World Read Aloud Day, I invite you to take a moment to think about what you would miss most if you could not read or write.
It’s time for all of us to join the global literacy movement. Through our voices we can be free and be part of words changing worlds.