March Literary Holidays

Aside from calendar noted holidays in March like Purim and Saint Patrick’s day, there are a few literary days of note that might peak your interest.  

On March 2nd there is Read Across America day, which also happens to be Dr. Seuss’ birthday. It was created by the National Education Association as a day to devote to getting children excited about reading. Dr. Seuss’ birthday was selected as the day to encourage reading on. So enjoy Oh, The Places You’ll Go! or Green Eggs and Ham both by Dr. Seuss. Or branch out from Dr. Seuss and try one of the books listed here Our Favorite Children’s Picture Books of 2017 or Race and Social Justice Books for Children K-5.

Here’s an odd one for you, March 12 is Alfred Hitchcock Day. Odd because it is unknown as to why this day was selected to celebrate Hitchcock, his birthday is August 13! Either way, we can make the most of this day. As an editor for numerous books and his movies, Hitchcock is definitely literary, if there were any doubts. Try one of these books about him Alfred Hitchcock (A Life in Darkness and Light) by Patrick McGilligan or Alfred Hitchcock(A Brief Life) by Peter Ackroyd.  Movies would also be ideal on this day, any of them would be great but here are a couple just a click away:  

Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of A Doubt is a suspenseful film with a witty script that tells the story of a murderer trying to hide in his hometown.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season one is a collection of short stories with Hitchcock introducing each one.

North by Northwest is the story of a man mistaken for a spy and chased across the U.S.A.

 

Next comes March 16th, the first publication of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850. (That’s 168 years ago!) It was one of the first mass-produced books by mechanized printing, which helped to make it a bestseller. Try the book itself but if you are interested in retellings, try a few of these: 

The Scarlet Letter by P. Craig Russell is a graphic novel version that may help give additional understanding to the story.

Easy A is a modern and funny take on The Scarlet Letter following a girl who gets thrown into the rumor mill and experiences similar ostracism as Hester Prynne.

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan is a chilling retelling of the tale set in the future, where your skin is turned red instead of having to wear the letter ‘A’.

March 20th is the birthday of Lois Lowry. A beloved Children’s author and winner of numerous literary awards. The Giver has been one of the most challenged books in schools and libraries for its controversial views on questioning authority. Another well-known book by Lowry is Number the Stars which takes place in Copenhagen during World War II. Or try one of the Gooney Bird Greene stories for a magical tale on learning how to tell a story.  

So with these March literary celebrations available for you, I’ll have some more come April.

~posted by Meranda T.