NEA's Read Across America

Hut one, hut two. It's reading fun for me and you!

San Francisco 49er Anthony Adams reads his favorite children's book, "Hop On Pop," at Leonhard Elementary. (NEA Staff Photographer daymonjharley.com)

Three read-ins, which were sponsored by NEA, NFL Players Association, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, The Heart of America Foundation and First Book, were held at Leonhard Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary and Brace-Lederle K-8 schools, all located in Southfield, Michigan.

Anthony Adams, a defensive end with the San Francisco 49ers, and his mother, Connie Davis, started the day by reading Dr. Seuss books to fourth and fifth graders.

Dave Rayner, a kicker with the Indianapolis Colts, read Seuss favorite "Green Eggs and Ham" to kindergartners and first graders. (NEA Staff Photographer daymonjharley.com)

Joining the Cat in the Hat at the second read-in were Detroit Lions fullback Cory Schlesinger, who plans to enter into the teaching profession and coach high school football after retiring from the NFL, and Dave Rayner, a kicker with the Indianapolis Colts who just wrapped up his rookie seasonn.

Capping off the day were running backs T.J. Duckett and Tyrone Wheatley of the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders, respectively. Duckett and Wheatley issued a reading challenge to the middle schoolers for the upcoming Read Across America Day.

The schools also received a $14,000 book donation from The Heart of America Foundation through a national program that gives children everywhere the tools they need to read, succeed and make the world a better place.

The Atlanta Falcon's T.J. Duckett teams up with former Michigan State rival Tyrone Wheatley, a former Oakland Raider, at NEA read-in. (NEA Staff Photographer daymonjharley.com)

NEA also announced the launch of Books Across America, a nationwide reading and literacy program to provide books to public schools in need.

In this inaugural year, NEA's Books Across America has partnered with The NEA Foundation, First Book and The Heart of America Foundation to host a Reading Relief Tour for Gulf Coast public schools.