We’ve heard the jokes about parents being tired of their kids during COVID-19. But what about their poor children? Stuck in quarantine with the same unshaven, sweatpants-wearing grownups who are either always on Zoom or complaining about how they have to be on Zoom? Kids need a break from all this, too. Fortunately, many celebrities have been there to help, volunteering their time doing virtual readings for children.
Frozen star Josh Gad has been holding his own popular digital book club, and Tom Hardy is returning for another round of bedtime stories for the BBC. Now, another big name is joining in to help both overwhelmed children and parents alike. Michelle Obama and PBS will host a free online series where she’ll read popular kid’s books.
The former First Lady is teaming with PBS KIDS and Penguin Random House on their new “Read Together, Be Together” literacy initiative. “Mondays with Michelle Obama” begins on Monday, April 20 at 12 p.m. ET and will air at the same time for four straight weeks. The digital series will livestream on PBS Kids’ Facebook and YouTube channels, and on Penguin Random House’s Facebook page. The videos will then remain online, so don’t worry if you can’t tune in on time.
The four books she will read include:
—April 20, 12 p.m. ET: The Gruffalo (Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler)
—April 27, 12 p.m. ET: There’s a Dragon in Your Book (Written by Tom Fletcher and illustrated by Greg Abbott)
—May 4, 12 p.m. ET: Miss Maple’s Seeds (Story and pictures by Eliza Wheeler)
—May 11, 12 p.m. ET: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (By Eric Carle)
Parents can find “activities, tips, and resources for each of the books” at www.readtogetherbetogether.com. Additional companion literacy resources are available on pbskidsforparents.org.
In a statement the former FLOTUS said, “As a little kid, I loved to read aloud. And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children—and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere. At this time when so many families are under so much stress, I’m excited to give kids a chance to practice their reading and hear some wonderful stories (and to give parents and caretakers a much-needed break).”
And she’ll be giving a break to those kids too. You can only hear the same desperately-in-need-of-a-haircut adult read the same story so many times.
Featured Image: PBS Kids
