Michelle Obama to read books each Monday to children stuck at home by coronavirus

Kids stuck at home under coronavirus lockdown orders can read along with former First Lady Michelle Obama in a series of live stream events starting Monday, Variety reported.

“Mondays with Michelle Obama” will air at noon Eastern time each Monday through May 11, PBS Kids announced on Twitter.

The readings will stream live on PBS’ Kids Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as Penguin Random House’s Facebook page, USA Today reported.

The videos will remain available for on-demand viewing on each platform afterward, Variety reported.

“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,” Obama said, Fox News reported.

Each week, Obama will read a different classic children’s book aloud, including “The Gruffalo,” “There’s a Dragon in Your Book,” “Miss Maple’s Seeds” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Fox News reported.

The global coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 2.3 million worldwide, has shut schools and forced stay-at-home orders across the United States.

Obama joins other celebrities, including Jimmy Fallon and Betty White, who have been reading books to children during the lockdown, USA Today reported.

“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,” Obama said, according to the publication. “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.”

This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 9:19 AM with the headline "Michelle Obama to read books each Monday to children stuck at home by coronavirus."