Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Nova Gustafson, 5, of Warren, drops everything to read “How to Catch a Unicorn” in the Warren Public Library Children’s Department on Tuesday, national Drop Everything and Read Day.

In order to emphasize the importance of literacy, the Pennsylvania Department of Education celebrated Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) day on Tuesday.

“DEAR Day, which is celebrated on author Beverly Cleary’s birthday, is a national day of reading,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Noe Ortega said.

“D.E.A.R. stands for ‘Drop Everything and Read,’ a national month-long celebration of reading designed to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives,” according to beverlycleary.com. “Because, what’s more fun(damental) than reading, really?”

While a particular day is named, there is no reason families can’t Drop Everything and Read on any day.

“We encourage you to ‘Drop Everything and Read’ every day throughout the year,” according to the website. “The goal of the program is to prompt people to make reading a regular part of their routine… whether they’re reading solo or together with their classmates, parents, or friends.”

Ortega dropped what he was doing Tuesday to visit a Pottsville classroom and spend some time reading with students.