Read Across America Week 2026

There’s something special about the first week of March. Classrooms across the country fill up with extra story time, guest readers, and excited kids celebrating the joy of books during Read Across America Week. It’s a nationwide celebration that reminds us just how powerful reading can be.

But for those of us in the forest industry, it’s also something more — it’s an opportunity.

From loggers and foresters to truck drivers and mill workers, the work you do every day tells an incredible story. And during Read Across America Week, that story belongs in the classroom.

Bringing the Forest to Life with Tiny Timber Crew®

If you’ve ever wished kids understood a little more about where wood products come from, how forests are cared for, or what careers exist beyond what they see on TV, this is your moment.

The Tiny Timber Crew series was created to help bridge that gap. These books introduce young readers to the world of sustainable forestry in a way that’s fun, relatable, and easy to understand. When you walk into an elementary classroom with one of these stories in hand, you’re not just reading a book — you’re opening a window into a whole industry.

And kids are curious. They want to know:

• Who plants the trees?
• How do logs get to the mill?
• What happens before lumber becomes a house or a desk?

You get to be the one who answers those questions.

More Than Just Story Time

One of the best parts? The Tiny Timber Crew website offers animated videos and grade-level worksheets aligned with educational standards. That means your visit doesn’t have to be a one-and-done event. Teachers can connect the story to science lessons about ecosystems, conversations about sustainability, and even career exploration activities.

Reading becomes real when students see the connection between the book in their hands and the world around them.

A Statewide Effort in Alabama

ForestryWorks of Alabama is helping coordinate classroom visits with partners across the state. They’re making it easier than ever for forest industry professionals to step into schools and share what they know with their community.

There are lots of ways you can get involved!

Visit your child’s classroom. Reach out to a local elementary school. Sponsor a classroom for this year's event. Connect with a teacher you already know. The relationships are often already there — they just need a little initiative.

Why It Matters

When students understand how forests are responsibly managed, they gain a clearer picture of sustainability. When they learn how wood products support their everyday lives, they begin to see the forest industry as something tangible and important.

And who knows? You might just inspire a future forester, equipment operator, mill manager, or environmental scientist.

This Read Across America Week, consider sharing your story. The forest industry has a powerful one to tell — and there’s no better audience than a classroom full of young readers.

To learn more about how to get involved in a reading or if you are interested in sponsoring an Alabama classroom with Tiny Timber Crew materials, reach out to Kara Foreman at kforeman@forestryworks.com or visit the Tiny Timber Crew website at https://www.tinytimbercrew.com... 

Happy Reading!