Oh D.E.A.R.!
D.E.A.R. stands for “Drop Everything and Read“. This is a month-long celebration of reading designed to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives. With declining literacy among children and adults, it is now more important than ever for reading to be encouraged and cherished as a worthy past time.
D.E.A.R. programs have been held nationwide on April 12th in honor of Beverly Cleary’s birthday, since she first wrote about D.E.A.R. in Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Inspired by letters from readers sharing their enthusiasm for the D.E.A.R. activities implemented in their schools, Mrs. Cleary decided to give the same experience to Ramona and her classmates. As D.E.A.R. has grown in popularity and scope, the program has expanded to span the entire month of April . . . offering classrooms and communities additional time to celebrate!
Can D.E.A.R. be celebrated anytime?
Every day should be “Drop Everything and Read”! The goal of the program is to prompt people to make reading a regular part of their routine . . . whether they’re reading solo or together with their classmates, parents, or friends. So, go ahead and join the millions of families, schools, bookstores, and communities who have participated throughout the years and pledge to “drop” what you’re doing in order to read a good book.
What materials are available for D.E.A.R.?
On the Drop Everything and Read website, one can find common core-aligned downloadables, digital assets, activity ideas, reading lists, and more to help you plan, promote, and host your own “Drop Everything and Read” celebration. Don’t forget; the goal is to have fun while promoting reading among the community!
How can I participate?
As an organization, library, school, or bookstore, you can participate by hosting a “Drop Everything and Read” event at your location (or elsewhere) during the month of April. As an individual, you can participate by attending an event in your community or by reading at home with your children, siblings, or friends. As an author, you can let people know about the D.E.A.R. and share your books on any of the many events that are scheduled for April.
As for me, I am participating on April 12th in an Fantasy and Science Fiction Network (FSFNet)-sponsored event with two books of my Pearseus: Rise of the Prince (book 1) and The Power of Six: Six (plus one) Science Fiction Short Stories, the price of which has been lowered to just 99c for the entire month of April for the occasion. To find out more about the event, visit the FSFNet DEAR sale page!
And of course, you can still read my children’s book, Runaway Smile, online for free!
Courtney M. Wendleton said:
Reblogged this on Books and More.
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Sue Coletta said:
Awesome program! Even at a very young age (19 months) I buy my granddaughter a new book for every visit, and I plan to continue this tradition throughout her precious life — whether she likes it or not. Ha!
She has her copy of Runaway Smile. Do your kids/nieces/nephews/grandchild/neighbor’s child have theirs? Psst… I even got the author to personalize it to make us — me and the hubby — look like heroes.
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julietaharoni said:
Hi Sue,
Runaway Smile is our favorite book to read with our grandchildren. My younger grandchildren read it at least once every fortnight.
Juliet
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That is so cute; thank you!!! 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – I’ve already given away a box to nieces/neighbors etc (each box contains 70 copies) 😀
Thank you so much for including Smile in this wonderful tradition 🙂
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islandeditions said:
Reblogged this on Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing and commented:
Here’s a great event that should be celebrated every day of the year!
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Great concept via Nicholas Rossis – designed to get all of us at every age reading..
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Susan P said:
When I was homeschooling my children, we regularly had DEAR days. We all looked forward to them.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That is so great! You obviously did a great job with their teaching 🙂
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davidprosser said:
Fantastic idea to get people reading again.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Let’s hope it succeeds 🙂
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mysm2000 said:
When I was teaching I knew teachers who did DEAR for about 20 min. every day. I always did SQUIRT — Super Quiet Uninterrupted Individual Reading Time. I never realized there was a whole month-long program. What a great idea!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks and welcome! Let’s hope it takes off 🙂
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
I’d not heard of this programme before, but it sounds like a great idea to me 😀
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Veronica said:
Reblogged this on OWL☆WONDER and commented:
Let’s Drop Everything And Read! 😄
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D. Wallace Peach said:
Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
How wonderful if every day could be a DEAR day. There’s nothing more intoxicating and magical than a journey through a great book. As George R.R. Martin said: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.”
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Michelle R. Eastman said:
Reblogged this on Michelle Eastman Books.
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John W. Howell said:
Good idea,
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yes, it is. Let’s hope it takes off 🙂
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macjam47 said:
Wonderful program.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I think so. Let’s hope it takes off 🙂
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macjam47 said:
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
D.E.A.R. means Drop Everything and Read, and the best way to get your children to read is to read along with them.
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Patrick Jones said:
Great idea! Thanks for sharing, Nicholas!! Have a great week!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
A pleasure. You too! 🙂
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Ali Isaac said:
My sons school have been doing this all year… he loves reading, so is delighted when it happens in the middle of maths or science class, less so when hes doing PE!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – fair enough. I’d be the other way around, but I was always the bookish one 😀
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Ali Isaac said:
He’s bookish AND sporty! And musical. And doesnt realise how cool he is! 😀 #proudmama lol!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Awww 🙂
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mgill0627 said:
I love this program.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Me too! 🙂
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julietaharoni said:
Reblogged this on Juliet Aharoni.
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mgill0627 said:
Reblogged this on BeeWrite Publishing and commented:
Drop Everything and Read DEAR.
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julietaharoni said:
Happy Easter to my Greek friends! Read Runaway Smile. I know you’ll all love it, like my family do.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That is so kind of you; thank you!! 😀
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olganm said:
Fabulous initiative!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I, too, believe so! Let’s hope it takes off 🙂
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Suzanne Joshi said:
Good piece, Nicholas. People need to get reading again, especially those who write or are interested in it. As Stephen King has said, “If you don’t read, you can’t write.” Children need to develop the reading habit early. Well done. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I merely shared the initiative, but thanks. 🙂 And yes, I couldn’t agree more: people do need to get reading!
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Sherrie Miranda said:
Reblogged this on sherriemiranda1 and commented:
What a great way to celebrate READING! 😉 ❤
Check out my debut novel about an American woman who goes to war-torn El Salvador: tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
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Angie Mc said:
Reblogged this on Angie Mc's Reblog Love and commented:
Celebrate reading with children for the month of April, and for a lifetime! Nicholas writes, “As an individual, you can participate by attending an event in your community or by reading at home with your children, siblings, or friends.
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