Sharing a book with a child is one of life's simple pleasures. It begins when you settle into a comfy chair with a beloved book of nursery rhymes to share with a very young child. The adventure continues as a pre-school student starts to sound out words in a picture book. The child grows into a third-grade student, who begins to read as a solo activity. Within a few years, the young student becomes a teenager, excited to share book suggestions with family and friends.

Learning to read is perhaps the most fundamental objective in a young person's education. Reading is the gateway to learning. It's a bridge between cultures and a way to bring families, communities and schools closer together. As parents, friends and educators of our nation's youngest learners, we have a responsibility to promote the importance of reading early and often. Reading to children at home on a daily basis helps ensure a higher rate of academic success in school.

These days, reading can take many forms. Recently, I saw a high school student with earphones in, head down and eyes glazed in an expression familiar to most teachers and parents. When she looked up, I asked what group she was listening to. Turns out, she was checking out an audio book she'd downloaded.

With the Kindle and the Nook and the iPad, it's hard to keep up with what's new in reading today. But what is inspiring is that while the technology of reading may be rapidly changing, Alaska's educators are embracing it; If it connects with their students and helps them become better or more frequent readers. Ask any teacher or education support professional, and you'll hear the reason for the enthusiasm. If we can get students reading, they have a better shot at succeeding.

In an effort to get kids excited about books and encourage more adults to spend time reading with children, the National Education Association and NEA-Alaska are sponsoring Read Across America, a week-long celebration and the nation's largest reading event. This year, NEA's Read Across America marks 12 years of celebrating reading centered around the March 2 birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

Meanwhile, here in Alaska the Cat in the Hat is going to the dogs. NEA-Alaska is sponsoring our first statewide Read Across Alaska celebration. We've teamed up with Iditarod musher Hugh Neff from Tok, who is a frequent visitor in classrooms and excited to help promote and celebrate the fun of reading. Watch for the Cat in the Hat on March 6 at the Iditarod ceremonial start in Anchorage plus a special presentation at the end of the race in Nome.

In addition to Iditarod fun, schools and classrooms across Alaska will be hosting their own celebrations to bring reading excitement to students of all ages —whether it's a green-eggs-and-ham breakfast, special readings by an elected official, an athlete, or a judge, or a one-fish-two-fish activity for the youngest students. Teachers, celebrities, community members and parents will put aside the many hats they wear each day for one hat in particular - the red and white striped stovepipe hat of Dr. Seuss' s Cat in the Hat. We invite you to contact your local school to ask how you can take part in Read Across America and Read Across Alaska celebrations.

Technology may change, but the importance of reading remains the same. Let's work together to share the joy of reading with the young Alaskans who represent the future of our great state. With each page turned- whether by hand, by mouse click or by voice-activated control- we're building a nation of readers, one child at a time.

Barb Angaiak is President of NEA-Alaska, which represents more than 13,000 teachers and education support professionals from Ketchikan to Kaktovik. She can be reached at barb.angaiak(at)neaalaska.org.