In the latest addition to its ongoing “Read-Along” initiative on Facebook and YouTube, PBS KIDS has partnered with Little Free Library for a collection of story-time videos this summer designed to encourage reading and togetherness for kids and parents. Through the collaboration, each special guest will read a children’s book and designate a location in the U.S. where a Little Free Library will be installed, complete with a supply of diverse books to make reading together more accessible for families across the U.S.
PBS KIDS and Little Free Library will kick off these story-times on Monday, June 29, at 12 noon ET, when NBA Legend and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade will read Gabrielle Union’s children’s book, Welcome to the Party. Other upcoming participants include Camila Alves McConaughey, Tim Gunn, Carla Hall, Anthony Ramos, Marley Dias, Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker, with additional special guest readers added throughout the summer. The story-times will feature books with diverse authors and characters, as well as bilingual readings.
To encourage engagement and a love of reading while many families are spending much of their time at home, the ongoing PBS KIDS “Read-Along” effort gives kids and parents a place to come together and read-along with fan-favorite books every Monday and Friday at 12 noon ET.
Launched in March, PBS KIDS Read-Alongs have featured Michelle Obama, Kristen Bell, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, as well as PBS KIDS series creators, producers and authors the Kratt Brothers (WILD KRATTS), Marc Brown (ARTHUR), Victoria Kann (PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC), Brad Meltzer (XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM), Angela Santomero (DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD), Princess Johnson (MOLLY OF DENALI), Ethan Long (SCRIBBLES & INK) and Jen Oxley & Billy Aronson (PEG+ CAT). Children’s authors and illustrators Christian Robinson and Matthew Cordell have also participated. Additional upcoming PBS KIDS Read-Alongs will include Tad Hills and legendary ballet dancer and best-selling author Misty Copeland.
Each reading is livestreamed simultaneously on PBS KIDS’ Facebook and YouTube channel and remains available for viewing on demand on both platforms immediately following. Companion literacy resources for each “Read-Along” are available on pbskidsforparents.org. The full schedule is available here. Follow PBS KIDS on Facebook and Instagram for updates.