On Saturday, April 12, set aside your chore list, close the laptop, turn off the TV, settle in with a good book and join readers around the country as they celebrate National D.E.A.R. Day by getting ready to “Drop Everything and Read.”

In honor of Newberry Award-winning author Beverly Cleary’s birthday, folks are reminded to make reading a priority in their lives. Cleary first wrote about D.E.A.R. in “Ramona Quimby, Age 8.” The idea sparked inspiration in readers and the popularity of D.E.A.R. grew into a national day of reading celebration.

There are endless ways to participate in D.E.A.R. Day and celebrate the joy of reading. Visit the Sequim Library or your local library and check out an old favorite or ask library staff for title read-a-likes and discover a new favorite.

Check out a book kit and form a book club with your friends.

Ask your co-workers what they’re reading and discuss your favorite authors at the water cooler.

Have a favorite movie or TV show? It may have been a book before it was adapted for the big or small screen. Read the book version so you can say, “The book was better!”

Attend a story time at your library or establish a daily reading time with your child or grandchild. Sharing a book at bedtime is a relaxing and positive way to end the day. Really, all you need to do to celebrate D.E.A.R. Day is take time to enjoy reading and share the joy with others.

If you’re looking for books to read with a special child in your life, or they’re looking for a fun independent read, try one or more of the following titles or series, which can all be checked out at the Sequim Library.

For babies and pre-readers, try “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman, “Good Night, Gorilla” by Peggy Rathmann or “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. Attention-getting picture books include “Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley, “The Duckling Gets a Cookie?” by Mo Willems and “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” by Dr. Seuss.

For early readers, take a look at the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel, Cynthia Rylant’s Henry and Mudge series, the Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold or the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. Developing readers may enjoy the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, the Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows or any number of books by Roald Dahl, such as “The BFG” or “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

Older independent readers may enjoy “Chomp” by Carl Hiaasen, “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio or “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate. Know a young reluctant reader? Try the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the Dear Dumb Diary series by Jim Benton or a graphic novel series like Garfield by Jim Davis or Jennifer and Matthew Holm’s series Squish and Babymouse.

A good laugh can often cure reading reluctance and get them hooked.

Visit the North Olympic Library System website at www.nols.org to search the catalog for your favorite titles and authors or drop by your local branch and browse the collection.

For more information on National D.E.A.R Day, visit www.dropeverything andread.com.

Sheri Kruckeberg is youth services librarian for the The North Olympic Library System.