Michelle Obama, Dolly Parton & More Celebs Will Read Your Kids Stories So You Don't Have To

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Here in Week Six (is that all??) of social distancing, we’re constantly searching for new ways to entertain our kids — and we parents are starting to run on empty here. Luckily, celebs are here to save the day. Stars from Michelle Obama to Misty Copeland are showing up to read to our kids (virtually, of course), so we don’t have to!

The latest to join the growing list of authors, celebrities, and regular everyday heroes who have been stepping up to offer virtual storytimes for kids stuck at home is former First Lady and forever badass Michelle Obama. She’ll be reading a kids book every Monday on PBS Kids’ YouTube and Facebook — and you better believe we (er, we mean our kids) will be tuning in.

Also on the docket? None other than our queen Dolly Parton, who since the beginning of April has been reading a book a night from her Imagination Library. It’s a social media event she’s calling “Good Night With Dolly,” and it doesn’t get much cuter than that.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Parton said in a statement to Good Morning America. “I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love.”

Penguin Kids announced its own official contribution to this effort, launching Read Together, Be Together, which featured daily live storytimes by its celebrity authors Misty Copeland, Danica McKellar, Tiffani Thiessen and Brady Smith, Scott Kelly, and B. J. Novak.

ReadTogetherBeTogether.com, parents can find book lists, videos, tips, and printables provided by Penguin and Parents magazine, its partner in this effort. The program, which was initially slated for the summer, also teamed up with the literacy nonprofit First Book to donate 750,000 books to kids in need, who are suffering the most from school and library closures, not to mention the economic insecurity of their parents.

“We know from experience that kids having books and storytime at home helps create a sense of normalcy that is sorely needed in the midst of this crisis,” Kyle Zimmer, president, CEO, and co-founder of First Book, said in a press release. “First Book is working to ensure that kids in need across the country have books at home during this time while most are out of school.”

The organization is trying to distribute seven million books to kids right now, and is seeking donations to help cover the cost of shipping.

Penguin’s site Read Brightly has also been hosting daily readings on its Instagram. Last week, Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams launched the Instagram account SaveWithStories, which features fellow celebs (from Noah Centineo to Kerry Washington) and children’s authors reading popular kids books aloud. The site is part of their effort to raise money for Save the Children and No Kid Hungry.

With most of these stories taking only about five minutes or less to read, you may be searching for all the options available to supplement your impromptu homeschooling. Check with your local library to see if they’ve got a virtual storytime set up — or go to the websites of larger library systems, like Brooklyn Public Library. Older kids might want to check out Scholastic’s new weekly virtual book fests which feature author Q&A’s, games, and even a dance party.

We also love the grassroots programs sprouting up, like this Facebook group launched by Tori Pentell, a teenager in Rhode Island, who is reading both picture books and chapter books for any kid who wants to tune in. Heck, if any of you are bored at home, we challenge you to start one of these yourself!

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This story was initially published on March 23, 2020.

Here are more ideas for how to keep kids busy when they’re stuck at home.

Launch Gallery: 21 Ways to Keep Kids Busy During School Closures

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