Let's Celebrate D.E.A.R. Day!

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • April 08, 2026

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Have you got any books you've been trying to find time to read? (And who doesn't?) Well, you're in luck! It's almost D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day! D.E.A.R Day is an annual holiday inspired by a passage from Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby, Age 8. The pro-reading initiative has morphed into a whole month of celebrations designed to promote literacy and reading enjoyment.

D.E.A.R. Day is celebrated on April 12 (which is also Beverly Cleary's birthday). So this Sunday forget about your to-do list. Just Drop Everything And Read!! And here are some ideas for making D.E.A.R. time a part of every day.

Take D.E.A.R. to the next level!

Ramona Quimby is a girl who sometimes struggles to follow the rules, but not when it comes to classroom reading time: "How peaceful it was to be left alone in school. She could read without trying to hide her book under her desk or behind a bigger book."

Lifelong readers can likely relate to Ramona's joy in being asked to Drop Everything And Read. Remember trying to read under the covers with a flashlight? Or spending long summer days engrossed in a good book? Adulting shouldn't mean we have to give that up. Here are some tips for making D.E.A.R. a part of your everyday life.

• Participate in our monthly Reading Challenges: In January, ThriftBooks launched a collective challenge to our readers to read 500 billion pages together. Log into your ThriftBooks account to set goals and record your progress.
• Put reading on your calendar: Ramona's D.E.A.R. time is built into the classroom's daily schedule. Just as you schedule workouts and social engagements, set time aside for your own reading.
• Put your devices away: When you're reading, put your phone somewhere away from you so that you won't be distracted by alerts.
• Keep a book on hand: If you keep a book nearby or bring it with you, you can read when you find yourself with a few minutes to spare between this and that.
• Read while you eat: If you're eating alone, you might as well keep yourself company with a book. Some families even institute regular reading meals a couple times a week.
• Read aloud with someone you love: You don't need to have kids around to enjoy a read-aloud book. Pick read-alouds to enjoy with your partner, best friend, or elder buddies. (And do all the voices!)
• Take reading breaks: To stay effective, we all need breaks from focused activities like working or studying. Take a five minute reading break every hour.
• Make a TBR (to-be-read) list: Don't find yourself wondering what to read next whenever you finish a book. Every time you hear about a book that you might like, add it to your Wish List.

Do you have any tips for getting more reading time? If so, add them to the comments below.

Celebrating the life and work of Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary was born on April 12, 1916 in rural Oregon. When she was six years old, her family moved to Portland, Oregon. The move from the country to the city was difficult for Cleary and initially, she struggled in school. Perhaps surprisingly, her difficulties included reading.

Although her reading skills eventually improved, Cleary recalls finding her reading choices boring as a child in school. This changed when she was in third grade and discovered The Dutch Twins by Lucy Fitch Perkins, a book about the adventures of ordinary children. This experience may have kickstarted Cleary's career as one of the first authors of children's literature to offer emotional realism in the lives of her characters. Here are 10 essential Cleary titles:

• Ramona the Pest—It's a genuine challenge to pick a favorite from the eight book Ramona series, but this one still makes us laugh out loud. (Ages 8–12)
• Dear Mr. Henshaw—Cleary's Newbery Medal-winner explores difficult topics like divorce and bullying in the story of a lonely sixth-grade boy writing to his favorite author. (Ages 8–12)
• Runaway Ralph—This sequel to The Mouse and the Motorcycle really ramps up the humor and adventure for the independent little mouse hero. (Ages 8–12)
• Henry Huggins—Beezus and Ramona make a cameo in the author's first book about an average boy whose life is transformed when he meets his lovable puppy Ribsy. (Ages 8–12)
• Two Times the Fun—Cleary was likely inspired by her own twins to write this collection of stories about twin siblings Jimmy and Janet. (Ages 6–10)
• The Hullaballoo ABC—Aha! Boo! Cock-a-doodle-doo! It's morning on the farm, and there are sights and sounds galore. This rollicking alphabet book draws on Cleary's early life on a farm. (Ages 4–8)
• Fifteen—This story about a young girl navigating her first crush is infused with the author's usual warmth, perceptiveness, and humor. (Ages 8–12)
• Jean and Johnny—A funny and touching story about two teens: the girl who lacks self-confidence, and the boy who has too much. (Ages 8–12)
• A Girl from Yamhill—This humorous and moving memoir covers the author's early years growing up in Oregon during The Great Depression. (Ages 9 and up)
• My Own Two Feet—This continuation of Cleary's story picks up when she was in college for the publication of her first book. (Ages 12 and up)

Drop Everything and Read is more than just a day. It's a way of life. Today—and every day—take some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy a good book.

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