In an effort to spread cheer and promote literacy among families that are sheltering in place during the pandemic, Michelle Obama is teaming up with Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books, and PBS Kids to launch a weekly read-aloud series. Beginning on April 20 at noon ET and running through May 11, “Mondays with Michelle Obama” will feature the former First Lady of the United States reading live from favorite picture books on the PBS Kids Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Michelle Obama said in a statement, “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).”
The program, which is in support of Penguin Random House’s new “Read Together, Be Together” campaign and PBS Kids’s “Read-Along” initiative, will also include literacy activities, tips, and resources for each of the books featured on “Mondays with Michelle Obama.”
The schedule is as follows:
- April 20 at noon: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illus. by Axel Scheffler
- April 27 at noon: There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illus. by Greg Abbott
- May 4 at noon: Miss Maple’s Seeds by Eliza Wheeler
- May 11 at noon: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
