Second annual Rock ‘N Read Marathon to hit Edmonds March 2-4

Pass by The Edmonds Bookshop window in the middle of the night March 2-4, and you’ll see teens from Meadowdale and Edmonds-Woodway high schools reading and rocking, part of the second annual Rock ‘n Read Marathon celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

“Our ASB leaders immediately signed up for the late night hours,” said Rita Ireland, MHS Librarian. Added Lauren Wolter, EWHS Librarian, “Our students are excited about this chance to show how much they love reading and to read to children in the community.”

This national Read Across America month (Dr. Seuss’s birthday) event is an opportunity to promote the love of reading, Ireland said. In today’s hectic pace of multi-tasking, texting, incessantly checking electronic devices, it seems to be more difficult to slow down to simply read for a half hour, she added.

Rock ‘n Read has now morphed into a community event, starting with support from Edmonds Bookshop store owner Mary Kay Sneeringer. Local coffee shops such as Walnut Street, Red Twig and Tully’s, plus the parent clubs from both schools have provided refreshments. Local businesses providing donations for the street banner, “For the Love of Reading,” include Beresford Law, Edmonds Bookshop, Resident Cheesemonger, Arista Wine Cellars, Demetri’s, Twisted Vin Yoga, Running in Motion and Blue Fish.

Students during last year's event. (Photos by Max Morley, Meadowdale High senior and president of the MHS Photo Club)

A children’s book drive accompanies this event, which starts at 11 a.m. Friday, March 2 and ends at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4. The students are collecting gently read or new books for the families that attend the weekly Food Bank at the local Edmonds Methodist Church. Bring any children’s books to the bookstore.

“Any way that we can help put a child and a book in parent’s lap, say for a half hour each day, will help increase reading readiness,” Ireland said.

Interested in reading in the window? Email irelandr@edmonds.wednet.edu — there are still some openings in the early morning hours on March 4.

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