MOORESTOWN, NJ — State Sen. Troy Singleton is leading a children's book drive in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday and National Reading Month, the senator's office announced.

Singleton is collecting new and gently used children's books through the end of March. Donations will be given to BookSmiles, a local organization that seeks to "irrigate book deserts" by building personal libraries for kids and classrooms in need throughout the South Jersey region.

"We focus on providing students and younger siblings with high-quality books, thereby laying the groundwork for academic success," BookSmiles says on its website. "We also provide educators, especially those serving Title I schools, with unlimited books for their classroom libraries as well as for their students' personal collections."

"Growing up, my mother instilled a deeply ingrained joy of reading in me," Singleton said. "She would tell me that by opening a book, you can go anywhere in the world. Reading not only gives us the ability to transport ourselves, but it allows us to expand our horizons. These are opportunities every child should have, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

"For these reasons, I am proud to partner with BookSmiles to collect books for kids who may not have a shelf of books to call their own. Our collection will run through the month of March, in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday and National Reading Month."