One of my very favorite days to do that is coming up… National Open The Magic Day! If you’ve never celebrated before, get ready—it’s pure joy in book form.
I started National Open The Magic Day because picture books truly changed my life. When I was nine, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and an auditory processing disorder, and picture books were my way in. They gave me confidence, a love of reading, and a safe space to explore reading. Now, I get to share that magic with my students (and YOU!) every September.
I do ALL of this for the “little me” in all of us—the part that once struggled, dreamed big, and worked so hard to find our place in the world. I do this to honor that journey and to remind every reader that their hard work can pay off, too.
What exactly is National Open The Magic Day?
Think of it as a giant invitation to slow down, open a picture book, and just soak it all in with your students.
This year’s selected read aloud book is The Day the Crayons Made Friends by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. In this colorful adventure, Duncan’s crayons decide it’s time to meet some new friends—outside of the box. You’ll meet Red Crayon driving a toy firetruck, Blue Crayon befriending a headless fashion doll, and Esteban the Magnificent trying to tame a teddy bear. It’s hilarious, sweet, and oh-so-perfect for talking about friendship and creativity.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 25th 2025. But honestly? You can stretch the celebration all week, month, or year if you want. (Because who doesn’t need more excuses to read picture books?)
Wherever you read best—your classroom rug, the library, outside under a shady tree, or even virtually if you’re teaching online. I’ve seen teachers decorate their doors, bring in guest readers, or even host a “pajama reading day” to make it extra fun.
Here’s the heart of it: Picture books aren’t just for littles. They’re for everyone. They help our students:
- See the world through new eyes
- Build vocabulary and comprehension
- Practice empathy
- Connect as a classroom family
- And let’s be honest… they’re FUN!
HOW TO CELEBRATE IN YOUR CLASS
Here’s my easy-peasy plan for 2025:
- Read the book aloud – Give those crayons some personality with your best voices.
- Talk about it – How do we make new friends? What does it feel like to try something new?
- Grab the free activity guide – I’ve packed it with morning meeting cards, vocabulary fun, comprehension questions, and even a crayon fact sheet that will blow your mind.
- Get creative – Have your students invent their own crayon color, write a letter as if they were a crayon, or design a brand-new crayon box.
- Share the magic – Snap a photo of your celebration and post it with #OpenTheMagicDay so we can all see.
Let’s fill our classrooms with books, laughter, and a motto that every kid will find their reading voice this September. Open the book, open the magic, and watch your students’ faces light up.
