Dewey Celebrates World Read Aloud Day
Happy belated World Read Aloud Day! On Wednesday, February 7th, the Dewey team celebrated the joy of reading aloud throughout New York City and beyond. Between schools, libraries, and online read-aloud events, we observed first-hand how reading aloud can hone listening skills, spread joy, and strengthen connections between readers.
Pam Allyn, the creator of World Read Aloud Day and founder of Dewey, joined Chancellor David Banks and NYC Mayor Eric Adams for a read-aloud at Harlem’s P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson. Pam shared how WRAD originated in 2010 with one NYCPS student’s idea to host a “birthday party for the read-aloud” before reading Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault’s “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” to a group of third graders in the school library. Students joined in, chanting and singing along to the alphabet with merriment. Chancellor Banks shared Eva Chen’s “I Am Golden,” underscoring how vital literature is for building community and understanding each other’s stories. The Mayor read “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” by Maya Angelou and talked with students about how he managed his dyslexia on his journey to becoming a super-reader. Students listened carefully and engaged in a profound discussion about overcoming their own fears. As the event winded down, students eagerly exchanged stories of courage and joy with their classroom visitors and peers and sought out new books to explore from their library bookshelves. We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Chancellor Banks and Mayor Adams in igniting student excitement and inspiration to become super readers.
Images from P.S. 123 are credited to Jasmine Russell-Yeh.
In the Bronx, more members of the Dewey team visited High Bridge Public Library to participate in LitWorld’s World Read Aloud Day collaboration with the New York Public Library. Dewey members celebrated with librarians, LitWorld staff, families, and students from across the Highbridge neighborhood by drawing bookmarks, building reading crowns, and sharing their favorite stories; Dewey’s own Sales & Marketing Associate, Ashley Church, read “Princess Peppa and the Royal Ball” by Courtney Carbone aloud to a group of enthusiastic super readers. Dewey extends a heartfelt thank you to all our friends at NYPL High Bridge and LitWorld who made this day possible.
At Dewey, we know how reading aloud can be an enriching, life-changing act. When we feel lonely or isolated from one another, the act of reading and being read to connects us, inspires us, and helps us learn more about who we are. We invite you to commit to continuing to read aloud, make reading visible, and engage in the joy of lifelong reading with your families, friends, and loved ones. We are so glad to have celebrated with you last week – let’s continue this super reading journey together and build a world where reading aloud is celebrated for generations to come.
Images from High Bridge Public Library are credited to KD Dretler and Ashley Church.
