Dwyane Wade, Camila Alves McConaughey, Tim Gunn, Carla Hall, Anthony Ramos, Marley Dias, Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker, and Misty Copeland Are Latest Special Guests to Join PBS KIDS’ Popular Read-Along Initiative for Families Nationwide
Arlington, VA, June, 25 2020 — 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.
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About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media, and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents, and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung TV, and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school reading and more visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Little Free Library
Little Free Library® (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and improves book access by fostering neighborhood book-exchange boxes around the world. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award and has been recognized by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation and others for its dedication to expanding book access for all. There are more than 100,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes worldwide in all 50 states and in 108 countries; through them more than 165 million books have been shared. To learn more, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org, or follow Little Free Library on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Contacts:
Lubna Abuulbah, PBS; 703.739.8463; labuulbah@pbs.org
Alison Grand, Grand Communications; 518-989-6343; alison@grandcommunications.com
Margaret Aldrich, Little Free Library,; 612-203-6856; maldrich@littlefreelibrary.org
