PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Sgt. Tisha Rivera, Picatinny Arsenal Religious Support Specialist, reads to preschool age students in support of National Read Across America Week.

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Two Picatinny Soldiers read to children at the installation's Child Development Center as part of the 2025 National Read Across America Week celebration.

Sgt. Tisha Rivera, Picatinny Arsenal Religious Support Specialist, read to preschool age students, while Maj. Faith Mueller, Assistant Product Manager, Small Caliber Ammunition, read to infant/toddler age children.

Each year, National Read Across America is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel.

Geisel, born in 1904, became known as an American children’s author and cartoonist, writing and illustrating more than 60 books such as The Cat in the Hat, under the pen name Dr. Seuss.

Read Across America is the nation's largest celebration of reading, intended to motivate and help American kids become aware of and celebrate good reading habits. Read Across America Week was started and created by the National Education Association in 1997. The first Read Across America Day took place on March 2, 1998.

A memo on the White House’s official website states, “Books have always been the bedrock of a great life and a great future. The simple act of opening a new book expands our knowledge, transforms our minds, and inspires strong leaders and thoughtful citizens. Whether we are turning through the pages of a book on ancient history, an adventure novel, or classic literature, books will always be the frontier of American imagination and the gateway to the American Dream.”

To learn more about Read Across America visit www.nea.org/readacross