Are your kids sick of hearing you read the same old books to them day after day? Barack and Michelle Obama have come to the recue.
The former president and first lady posted a video of themselves reading Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book The Word Collector on Thursday. “Michelle and I want to do our part to give all you parents a break today, so we’re reading ‘The Word Collector’ for @chipublib. It’s a fun book that vividly illustrates the transformative power of words—and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did,” Barack Obama tweeted.
Michelle and I want to do our part to give all you parents a break today, so we’re reading “The Word Collector” for @chipublib. It’s a fun book that vividly illustrates the transformative power of words––and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. pic.twitter.com/ADYbL6Dzg4
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 14, 2020
The video is part of a program sponsored by the Chicago Public Library, in which celebrities with connections to the Windy City read children’s books to young literature fans. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, actress Jane Lynch, and musician Jeff Tweedy have already posted videos, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
“I remember my first trip to the library and how important I felt,” Michelle Obama says in the video. “It was around age 4. My library card was a key that unlocked a world of knowledge and experiences.”
“I love that book,” Barack Obama says after the couple finishes their reading. “He’s the word guy,” Michelle Obama responds, pointing at her husband.
Other celebrities scheduled to participate in the program include musician Common, actor Henry Winkler, and the only Chicagoan who can match the Obamas in the fame department: Oprah Winfrey.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.