Michelle Obama Is Reading Children’s Books On Free Live Stream

In a series called Mondays with Michelle Obama, the former first lady will read aloud in free live-streams from a different children’s book every Monday at 12 p.m. ET, from April 20 to May 11. Obama is collaborating with Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and PBS Kids for the project.

Each reading will be live-streamed simultaneously on PBS Kids’ Facebook page and YouTube channel and on Penguin Random House’s Facebook page. The videos will also remain available for on-demand viewing on each platform after the readings.

The four books Obama is reading are: The Gruffalo (April 20), written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler; There’s a Dragon in Your Book (April 27), written by Tom Fletcher and illustrated by Greg Abbott; Miss Maple’s Seeds (May 4), story and pictures by Eliza Wheeler; and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,” Obama said in a statement. “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.”

Obama expressed her excitement about the project and helping parents with caring for their children. “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).”

Penguin Random House has also created activities and resources connected to the books that Obama is reading for children here.