By Frank Wells & Sheri Miyamoto
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| Book illustrator Rafael Lopez created original artwork for CTA members to use as part of this year’s celebration of reading.
My Name is Celia (Me Llamo Celia) illustrations ©2006 by Rafael Lopez. All rights reserved. Used with permission from Luna Rising. |
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Is March 2 “bookmarked” on your calendar? NEA’s Read Across America will be here before you know it.
The theme for California’s observance is “Get Jazzed About Books.” This marks the eighth year for the nationwide celebration, and CTA is ready to help make the day a success in your school.
This year’s honorary RAA co-chairs for California are recording artist Raven-Symone and book illustrator Rafael Lopez.
Raven-Symone is the star of the Disney Channel hit show “That’s So Raven.” She’s also known to millions for her performance as Olivia on the hit series “The Cosby Show” as well as Eddie Murphy’s rebellious daughter in both “Dr. Dolittle” movies.
Lopez created the art for My Name is Celia (Me Llamo Celia), a bilingual biography of famed salsa singer Celia Cruz. The book was recognized with the prestigious Americas Award from the Library of Congress. The artist, who has designed two stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, is producing original artwork for CTA members to use as part of the RAA celebration this year.
A packet of brochures, bookplates, certificates and recommended reading lists will be sent to all CTA chapters in January. Many of the same materials will also be available on the CTA website [www.cta.org] for members to use. In addition, reasonably priced stickers, pencils, rubber stamps and plush parrots designed by Lopez will be available at upcoming CTA meetings and conferences while supplies last.
Additional materials and tips are available on the NEA website[www.nea.org/readacross].
Here are some things you can get started on now to make this year’s Read Across America memorable for you and your students:
- Remind your principal about the event and refer him or her to the CTA or NEA website. If March 2 conflicts with your school calendar, feel free to plan your celebration for another day that week or even the week before or after.
- Consult with your school librarian, who may have event ideas and resources to offer.
- Invite “guest readers” to visit your school and read to students. Visits from police officers, firefighters, radio/television personalities, athletes, political figures and other community members can make a big impression on young people. Ask your guests to tell your students why reading is important in their lives and what their favorite books were when they were children.
- Share your plans with your colleagues. Pledge to participate on the NEA website and keep your local association office informed of what you’re doing at your school. Let your local media outlets education reporters know about your event.
CTA welcomes 12 partners in the effort to promote this year’s event: Scholastic Books, Barnes & Noble, the California School Library Association, the Los Angeles Times, Northland Publishing, the Los Angeles Dodgers Dream Foundation, California Professional Firefighters, First Book, the California Library Association, Kaiser-Permanente, See’s Candies, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
