It can be quite a challenge to keep children engaged during this period and if you’re running out of ideas, perhaps this might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many Hollywood A-listers have banded together using various platforms to read a children’s book or two to comfort and enrich young little minds during this difficult time. It has also been used as a way to raise funds for those affected by the outbreak, which was what Andy Serkis did with his live reading of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, as well as general academic aptitude. It has also proven its ability to inspire a lifelong love of reading in children. This doesn’t just work with young children but also older children as it is a good way to illustrate certain issues that they might experience in school.
From Harry Potter to Disney, here are 5 digital platforms you can visit for a quick story or two with a famous celebrity.
#SAVEWITHSTORIES
Save with Stories is an initiative started by actresses Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams in partnership with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry to offer stories on Instagram and Facebook to provide fun and education to families who are stuck at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The two actresses have enlisted the help of their wide circle of famous friends which includes the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, Oscar-winning Actress Kate Winslet and Captain America actor Chris Evans.
The stories are available for viewing here on the #SAVEWITHSTORIES Instagram page.
HARRY POTTER AT HOME
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A great story to experience with family is one with magic and adventure — the Wizarding World of Harry Potter invites you to relive the magic of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone together with a line-up of celebrity narrators such as Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Redmayne, Dakota Fanning, and David Beckham who will read a chapter each week until the end of the book. Chapter One to Three are already available for your viewing or listening pleasure via the Wizarding World website and Spotify.
The chapters are available for viewing here on the official Wizarding World site, and for listening here on Spotify.
DISNEY STORYTIME WITH…
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Fans of Disney, this one is for you! In an effort to reach audiences worldwide, Disney has tapped their roster of Hollywood heavyweights to bring you five-minute stories told by the celebrities who have brought their amazing characters to life. From a Moana tale told by Auli’i Cravalho (voice of Moana) to a Star Wars story voiced by Daisy Ridley (who plays Rey), these short stories are great little bits of entertainment that you can view any time you need a break from your work and school!
The stories are available for viewing here on the official Disney Facebook page.
#GADBOOKCLUB
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) April 23, 2020
If your child (or you) are a fan of Frozen, you might be happy to know that the man behind the adorable Olaf has created an online book club on Twitter aptly named #GadBookClub to read bedtime stories to kids and families. The actor has been at it since 13 March and has been constantly spreading a bit of literary cheer with a reading of Artemis Fowl, Olivia Goes to Venice, and The Day The Crayons Quit as well as a surprise chapter reading of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Stay tuned for more stories with Josh Gad here via his official Twitter page, or search for his past stories here.
STORYLINE ONLINE
A SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, is best known for streaming videos that feature celebrated actors reading children’s picture books like The Rainbow Fish, Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies, and The Tales of Peter the Rabbit alongside creatively produced illustrations that are part of the video. Notable narrators on the site include Michelle Yeoh, Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, and Chris Pine.
The stories are available for viewing here at their official page, or here on their official YouTube channel.
Banner image courtesy of #SAVEWITHSTORIES.
