Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates iconic author’s birthday by pledging to gift a book to U.S.-based readers who share a March 2 birthday – to keep or donate.

Expanding Highly Successful 2024 Program, This Year’s Pledge Designed to Give the Gift of Reading will Also Provide Option to Gift Complimentary Copy to Children in Underserved Communities through its partnership with First Book

Dr. Seuss Enterprises Also Puts the Spotlight on Literacy by Teaming Up with NFL Players and Creative Minds Publications to Bring the Tackle Reading Program Back to Classrooms Tied to Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

February 18, 2025—Last year, Dr. Seuss Enterprises pledged to gift a free book to every child born on March 2nd, 2024 – Dr. Seuss’s birthday – to encourage teachers and parents of little ones to “Read Today for Their Tomorrow.” The program was so popular that Dr. Seuss Enterprises is announcing a major expansion this year designed to further put the spotlight on the importance of literacy. For 2025, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is pledging to give away a free, personalized copy of the cherished book, The Cat in the Hat, to anyone in the U.S. who shares a March 2nd birthday*. Those born on that day who register at SeussPledge.com can choose to have the book sent to them or gift their complimentary copy to children in underserved communities through its partnership with First Book. 

The Dr. Seuss Birthday Pledge is part of a larger celebration of reading that takes place annually on March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Millions of children and families take part each year in celebrations honoring the author’s storied legacy at schools, libraries, and other venues across the country.

Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, stated, “Fostering learning and development through the joy of reading is central to our mission at Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The expansion of the Birthday Pledge allows us to bring Dr. Seuss books to many more readers because, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’”

Books donated for the pledge will be co-funded by Dr. Seuss’s long-time publishing partner Random House Children’s Books. The interior of each book will include a personalized message that commemorates the recipient’s Seussian birthday and encourages them to read every day to help ensure their tomorrows are filled with curiosity, imagination, and knowledge.

In addition to pledging to gift a book to anyone born on March 2nd, Dr. SeussEnterprises is also planning to celebrate the day by teaming up with Creative Minds Publications and NFL players for the 9th annual Tackle Reading event. Tackle Reading events are assembly-style celebrations held during the week of Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and are designed to inspire children at underserved schools to fall in love with reading. The confirmed spokesperson for this year is NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce. At each of the events, a current or alumnus NFL player will read a beloved Dr. Seuss book at a school-wide assembly. As part of the event, students will have the opportunity to hear motivational messages directly from NFL athletes. Every school will receive a diverse collection of Random House Children’s Books titles for their library, and each child will receive their own Dr. Seuss book. The event will also feature other fun elements, such as NFL team mascots, cheerleaders, and more.

For those who are unable to participate in the Dr. Seuss Birthday Pledge and Tackle Reading, there will be additional opportunities to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and encourage a love of reading, including:

• Free Downloadable Resources and Activities: Dr. Seuss Enterprises is also providing free resources and activities for teachers and parents to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and the joy of reading in the classroom and at home with free downloads at Seussville.com.
• Nationwide virtual event series with critically acclaimed authors and artists!
• Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) is celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday by introducing young readers to new authors through a series of virtual events with schools and libraries across the country on March 3-7th. During each virtual event, kids will be able to enjoy a beloved Dr. Seuss story read aloud by a guest author, hear about their books and inspirations, and engage in a fun and interactive Q&A session.
• Nationwide Cat in the Hat Costume tour
• The Cat in the Hat is hitting the road! Kids and families can meet-and-greet with the Cat at events in independent bookstores as well as select Barnes & Noble and Walmart stores. Dates and cities will be announced soon.

ABOUT DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES

Founded in 1993, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is a leading global children’s entertainment and licensing company focused on promoting literacy, education, self-confidence and the wonderful possibilities of a child’s imagination through the beloved works of Dr. Seuss. All Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ profits benefit charitable organizations that focus on causes such as education, health, animal conservation, and the arts. For more information, visit DrSeussEnterprises.com or follow us on Instagram.

*Dr. Seuss Enterprises is planning to distribute up to 20,000 books.