Read Across America events will begin soon in the Edmonds School District.

The celebration happens every year near Dr. Seuss’s birthday to encourage families to read together. Events also raise money to support Edmonds School District libraries.

This is the fourth Read Across America Community Celebration and there are some new events and locations joining in this year.

Kicking off the fun are activities from 4-8 p.m.on Thursday, March 3 at the new Crossroads Center at 196th Street Southwest and Highway 99 in Lynnwood. There will be guest readers at Yogurtland, an “I’ve got a Thing for Reading” scavenger hunt starting at Great Clips, games and face painting at Hop Jacks and MOD Pizza, and photo opportunities with the Cat in the Hat.

Yogurtland is providing free yogurt for the first 100 students, Great Clips is giving away coupons for a free kids haircut to the first 100 students, and students who write down their reading pledge will receive a free kids meal at Hop Jacks.

Read Across America activities on Saturday, March 5 are based at Revelations Yogurt, located at 527 Main St. in Edmonds. Children can enjoy the “reading room,” where guests will read children’s books from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 will be available for pictures. Families can also complete a “Cat Walk” scavenger hunt in downtown Edmonds. The Edmonds Theater will have free showings of Dr. Seuss videos.

The Lynnwood Bowl and Skate, located at 6210 200th St. SW., is also participating in our Read Across America celebration by hosting two weeks of “Bowling for Books.” Every time folks tell the counter staff that they are “Bowling for Books” during the weeks of Feb. 29—March 3 and March 7-10, 50 percent of the discounted bowling fee will be donated to Read Across America for Edmonds School District libraries.

On Tuesday, March 2 if bowlers come dressed as a Dr. Seuss character, 100 percent of the discounted bowling fee will be donated to our school libraries.

Because the Edmonds School District does not provide a budget to school libraries, parent groups, private grants, and Read Across America provide them with funds to purchase books and update their collections.

Community members who would like to donate to school libraries can make checks payable to the Foundation for Edmonds School District, earmarked for Read Across America, and mail them to the Foundation for Edmonds School District, P.O. Box 390, Lynnwood, WA  98046.