The Readers Awaken: Star Wars Reads Day 2016

Star Wars Reads Day. I know you’re thinking, “What the heck? How have I never heard of this before?” Me too. It seems we’ve been missing out on a pretty cool event. And I want in!

“What could be as powerful as the Force? The power of reading, of course. And the two will come together this October.”

How amazing are those opening lines? It turns out that this is more than an individual annual event; it’s more like a month of book-related celebrations. It’s a yearly, month-long, international movement to encourage and celebrate reading of all kinds. Obviously, it’s mostly books and materials about Star Wars that are used and promoted, but overall it’s an engaging way to inspire all ages to curl up with a tome or two.

Source: Amazon

Source: Amazon

Different institutions that individually participate in this event include:

  • Libraries
  • Schools
  • Bookstores
  • Cafes
  • Toy Stores

If you Google “Star Wars Reads,” you’ll find a ton of stuff!

  • The official Star Wars website has a decent blurb to describe it
  • A dedicated Star Wars Reads Facebook page!
  • There’s no dedicated Twitter account, but there are thousands of individual tweets about it
  • Over 1,300,000 related hits on YouTube
  • Instagram has about 3,186 pics tagged with #starwarsreadsday, and these numbers don’t even include other hashtags like #starwarsreads or #starwarsreadsatthelibrary
  • An incredible 1,000+ images on Pinterest for “Star Wars Reads Day activities”

The tweets come from a crazy range of accounts, including some from a Puerto Rican charitable organization, an Alabama county’s Chamber of Commerce office, and even a German children’s library. The Instagram pics come from a myriad of places and people, including a homeschooling mom in Chicago, an Irish costume shop, and an Australian children’s bookstore. Just like the rest of the Star Wars franchise, this is definitely a worldwide phenomenon!

Sidenote: did you know that there’s a website dedicated to helping educators use Star Wars themes and references in their teaching strategies? There’s also a “Wookieepedia” page. Like, seriously.  So if you’re a Jedi Master trying to impart wisdom to your little Padawans, there’s no excuse for you to not celebrate Star Wars Reads in your classroom.

Wondering which Star Wars themed volumes you should flip through? You won’t believe the options:

  • Comic books
  • YA novels
  • Movie fact books
  • Lego-related books
  • Picture books
  • Artwork books
  • History books
  • Trivia books
  • Coloring books (obviously)
  • Annnnnd short story compilations
  • Plus a whole bunch of other crazy stuff
eu-books-credit-to-onceuponageek-com_

Source: Tom Durham

Numerous Barnes and Noble locations across the country are planning celebrations, complete with themed cupcakes and snacks, character visits, crafts, costume contests, storytime, trivia, and many other activities.

The library in my home city is having a day of character appearances from volunteers at a local Star Wars-themed costume organization. What’s happening in your area?

YouTube Channel: ChasSymphony’s channel

 

Featured image via The Official Star Wars Website

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