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D.E.A.R. Day, April 12th
D.E.A.R. stands for "Drop Everything and Read," a national celebration of reading designed to remind families to make reading a priority activity in their lives.
Reading Rockets is pleased to be a founding partner of National D.E.A.R. Day celebrated every year on April 12th. That's the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary, whose characters Ramona and older sister Beezus are now favorites of a new generation of readers.On this day, families are encouraged to take at least 30 minutes to put aside all distractions and enjoy books together. What will you be reading?
Beverly Cleary answers your questions!
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.
You can also watch our video interview with Beverly Cleary.
D.E.A.R. Day activities and resources
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 this 2013 book from HarperCollins, Just for Me: My Ramona Quimby Journal. - 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. - Find more activity sheets on the D.E.A.R. website >
Host a D.E.A.R. event!
To help promote your event, send an e-card or download and print these colorful print resources from HarperCollins Children's Books.
- D.E.A.R. E-Card
Send an e-card to your favorite readers and get them excited about D.E.A.R. Day. The card features a picture of Ramona Quimby, who now has a fresh, modern look from illustrator Tracy Dockray. - D.E.A.R. Flyer
Make color copies of this flyer and post them in your classroom, library, or local bookstore. - D.E.A.R. Invitation
Add your D.E.A.R. event details and send this invitation to everyone on your list. - D.E.A.R. Sticker
Print this template on sticker sheets to create a very en(D.E.A.R.)ing giveaway item. - D.E.A.R. Bookmark
Pass out this colorful bookmark to your favorite readers. - D.E.A.R. Certificate
Give a personalized certificate to everyone you know who loves to spend time reading. - D.E.A.R. T-Shirt
Celebrate D.E.A.R. Day in style with a colorful t-shirt! Adult and kids sizes are now available in a variety of colors and styles
Family reading tips and booklists
Here are some easy ways to make your home reading-friendly!
- Download reading tips (129K PDF)*
- Themed booklists
Articles about silent reading
- Reconsidering Silent Reading
- What Are the Benefits of Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) Excerpted from The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (Penguin)
- Just Think of the Possibilities: Formats for Reading Instruction in the Elementary Classroom by Kimberly Kimbell-Lopez (Reading Online)
- "Sustained Silent Reading" Helps Develop Independent Readers (and Writers) by Gary Hopkins (Education World)
- Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) Pays Big Dividends! 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.
Information about D.E.A.R. Day
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 Reading Rockets, the National Education Association (NEA), the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, First Book, the Newspaper Association of America Foundation, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), Read Kiddo Read, Walden Media, and HarperCollins Children's Books.
First Book, a national nonprofit organization that has given more than 80 million new books to children from low-income families, is pleased to offer books that kids will want to drop everything for! To learn more please check out the First Book Marketplace.
The concept of "Drop Everything and Read" is referenced in the second chapter of Ramona Quimby, Age 8, and Ramona is the campaign spokesperson. The aim of this nationwide initiative is to encourage families to designate a special time to "drop everything and read" at home. So, on April 12, families will be encouraged to take at least 30 minutes to put aside all distractions and enjoy books together.
Free D.E.A.R. materials are available from HarperCollins Children's Books. Please see the D.E.A.R. website for details.
* To view this file, you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
