Have a costume party where children dress up as characters in their favorite books. For instance, in 2011, Read Across American Day was held on the birthday of Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. Schools across America encouraged their children to dress like the Cat in the Hat or Horton the Elephant. You can also be author specific, or allow kids to pick from any book they like, as long as they bring the book with them.
Ask your school or local librarians to conduct you and your children on an official tour of the library. Send in the paperwork ahead of time so that each child who doesn’t already have a library card can receive one there. Let everyone check out a book, taking them through the process. Your librarians may also be willing to hold a special story time with them that fits in with that year’s Read Across America theme. If not, ask permission to read to them yourself.
If you have a large room, move out the furniture and make a map or outline of the United States on the floor. Set up stations within designated regions with short books about that area’s culture or geography as well as appropriate accompanying snacks. Split your children into groups and have them “read across America” within the room. Depending on their age, they may read the books themselves or have someone read to them.
Ask local celebrities or community members to come and read a book to a group of children. You could invite chamber of commerce members, firefighters, police officers, doctors, singers or news anchors. Ask each one to read his favorite childhood book as well as one of your choice. Rotate your readers between classrooms for as long as they’re willing to read. You could also have children dress in pajamas and bring stuffed animals so that they can settle down to a “bedtime” type story hour.