Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E.A.R)

Author/illustrator Cece Bell (El Deafo) tells us why Cleary’s books have meant so much to her since she was a young girl.

Have you ever wanted to ask author Beverly Cleary a question about her much-loved books, the vivid characters she created, or her life as a writer? We asked our readers and you responded with more than 500 entries, and we selected about a baker’s dozen for Mrs. Cleary to answer. Listen in as Mrs. Cleary talks about her favorite teddy bear, where the character Ralph came from, the pleasures of reading and writing, and much more. 

Reading and writing activity sheets

Download and print these Ramona Quimby-inspired and Common Core-aligned reading and writing activity sheets from HarperCollins Children’s Books.

• A Happy Quimby Family      
  Write an opinion piece about “what makes a happy family” with supporting evidence.
• Growing Up … Ramona-Style      
  Have students assume the voice of Ramona to “write big sister advice” to Roberta.
• Keeping a journal      
  Here are some tips to get students started on keeping a journal. You can also order the book, Just for Me: My Ramona Quimby Journal (opens in a new window).
• Who Is Ramona Quimby?      
  Ask students to write a character analysis on Ramona.
• Retell a Story      
  Using a scene from a Ramona book, students should create a picture-book retelling.

• Making Independent Reading Work
• Reconsidering Silent Reading
• Lesson Plan: A Daily DEAR Program: Drop Everything, and Read! (opens in a new window) (Read Write Think)
• What Are the Benefits of Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) (opens in a new window) Excerpted from The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (Penguin)
• “Sustained Silent Reading” Helps Develop Independent Readers (and Writers) (opens in a new window) by Gary Hopkins (Education World)
• Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) Pays Big Dividends! (opens in a new window) by William Marson (Education World)
• What Works in Fluency Instruction: Independent Silent Reading Excerpted and adapted from Teaching Children to Read, the report of the National Reading Panel.

D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. Schools often have D.E.A.R. time (sometimes called D.I.R.T., S.S.R., U.S.S.R., S.Q.U.I.R.T., F.V.R. or P.O.W.E.R.). It’s when kids can read and enjoy the books they want, just for the pleasure of reading and with no questions asked!

On April 12, the birthday of beloved Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary, the nation celebrates “Drop Everything and Read” Day. It’s a partnership effort of the following organizations:

• Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association
• First Book
• General Federation of Women’s Clubs
• HarperCollins Children’s Books
• National Education Association (NEA)
• National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• Newspaper Association of America Foundation
• Read Kiddo Read
• Reading Rockets
• Walden Media