FORT STEWART, Ga. - Diamond Elementary School celebrated Read Across America, a week-long event dedicated to promoting childhood reading. The celebration is held around March 2, the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss.
"The Read Across America program allows children throughout America to engage in reading," said Dr. Grace Ford, reading instruction specialist with Diamond Elementary School. "This offers an opportunity for children throughout our nation to read different books, according to their interest."
Ford also had some advice for parents in encouraging children to read.
"Read across America is a time to learn that you're never too old, never too wacky, you're never too wild to pick up a book and read to your child," she added. "This is a time when a child can explore through the joy and love of reading. They can take a vacation through a book."
One student already has learned the joy of reading. Isabelle Beauchamp, 11, is a 5th grader at Diamond Elementary. She estimates she has read more than 500 books.
"Reading is something I love to do," she said. "I read almost every book I can get my hands on. Usually, I read the book first before I see the movie. Reading is like having a little TV in my head."
Beauchamp added that she does other fun things, like play video games, but she always finds time to read.
"I think reading is really important," she said. "It helps your vocabulary, it helps you to understand words; reading does so much. It's just a fun thing to do. Before bed you can read. It's just a really good thing."
Diamond Elementary celebrated Dr. Seuss and Read Across America week in many different ways.
One day, the students were served green eggs and ham for lunch. Students also had the opportunity to dress up as their favorite literary character. People from the community also had the chance to come in and read to students.
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