Here’s an interview I did today with Larry Jacobs of Education Talk Radio. He’s a lively interviewer  and it is pretty amazing to hear how we got from teaching, to big macs, Vermont traffic, and back again to teaching.

We discussed my book Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop the Exodus, published by Corwin Press, and obviously, other things as well!

image:  Fernando Candeias on Flickr

Research tells us reading aloud to our children is one of the most important things we can do to help our children love reading, increase their current and future academic achievement, and improve the parent-child bond.

Recently, I reviewed Pam Allyn’s delightful book, What to Read When:  The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child–and All the Best Times to Read Them .  She is the founder of LitWorld, a non-profit, international literacy organization that’s mission is:  “to cultivate literacy leaders worldwide through transformational literacy experiences that build connection, understanding, resilience and strength. We work with teachers, parents, community members, and children to support the development of literacy and the redemptive power of story in the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

As part of that work, World Read Aloud Day is an important event coming up on March 9, 2011.  Below is some information about the transformational power of literacy and the potential of World Read Aloud Day. I am excited to be part of this event, and am planning to coordinate a celebration in my own community.  Please join me!  There are resources and ideas about how to plan your own World Read Aloud Day event here.

“World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.

Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name. What would you miss most if you could not read or write? Imagine your world without words.  Across the globe nearly 171 million children could be lifted out of poverty if they left school with basic reading and writing skills. Quality literacy education is the difference between life and death, prosperity and despair. This is literacy for survival.”

Can’t plan an event?  Have a read aloud marathon in your house! Share your childhood favorite books, and your memories about reading with your child.  Or read a few extra chapters tonight to your child.  Enjoy the connection of bringing literacy to children with thousands of parents, teachers and advocates worldwide.

Just when I was starting to feel like Wal-Mart was improving.  They have started selling more organic produce, and are working to improve the nutritional quality of their food with manufacturers, partnering with anti-obesity champion and First Lady, Michelle Obama.

“We are raising another generation of girls who kind of measure their self-worth based on what’s on the outside,” Dr. Logan Levkoff, author of the book “Third Base Ain’t What it Used to Be” said to “Good Morning America.”

Read the rest of the post here.