Last week, Michelle Obama re-entered political news by announcing an organization she co-chairs will push for expanded voting measures, such as mail-in voting and longer voting periods.
The former First Lady, it appears, has no plans to disappear from the public eye.
Yesterday, PBS announced they will produce a weekly children’s read-along series with Michelle Obama. The series will begin later this week and end in mid-May.
CNN reports on Michelle Obama’s latest endeavor:
For all the exhausted families trying to keep their children entertained during the coronavirus pandemic, here’s some good news: Michelle Obama is hosting story time.
The former first lady announced that she is teaming up with PBS Kids and Penguin Random House to host a weekly read-aloud series.
For four weeks starting on April 20, Obama will read from one of her favorite children’s books in an event called “Mondays with Michelle Obama.” First up on the list is “The Gruffalo,” written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Families can tune in to the livestream on PBS Kids’ Facebook page and YouTube channel, or the Penguin Random House Facebook page.
“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud. 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 said in a statement.
Some Twitter users were quick to point out that Democrats inserted funding for PBS into the COVID response bill passed last month.
Check out some of the reactions to the announcement of Michelle Obama’s program:
Fox News details Michelle Obama's new program:
Former first lady Michelle Obama announced Friday she’s partnering with PBS for the next month for a virtual storytime each Monday during the coronavirus outbreak.
"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, 56, who focused much of her time in the White House on children’s nutrition with her "Let’s Move" campaign, said in a statement.
She said she hopes it will also give families a “much-needed” break.
The outbreak has closed schools across the country, forcing many parents to attempt homeschooling for the first time and stay-at-home orders have created the added challenge of constantly keeping stir-crazy children entertained.
“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud. 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," she added.
“Mondays With Michelle Obama" will air on Mondays at noon ET, starting next week. Each week she'll read one of her favorite children's classics, including “The Gruffalo,” “There’s a Dragon in Your Book,” “Miss Maple’s Seeds” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
It seems that children's stories isn't the only thing Michelle Obama will be up to in the recent future. Sources report the former First Lady will participate in the Biden campaign.
Michelle Obama will most likely be a welcome addition to the campaign. Biden needs all the help that he can get, particularly since Trump's approval ratings have been shown to be increasing due to his handling of the COVID crisis.
The Hill had this to say on Michelle Obama's expected participation in the Biden campaign:
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign is planning a rollout for Michelle Obama’s endorsement, although there are questions around just how public a role the enormously popular former first lady will play in his campaign.
Sources tell The Hill that the Biden campaign’s early plans include a focus on remote fundraising and voter registration efforts.
The trick for Michelle Obama and the Biden campaign is finding the right balance for the pop culture icon, who could be a massive asset for the campaign but has never shown much enthusiasm for campaign politics.
"This week was President Obama's moment to enter the campaign. Of course Mrs. Obama supports Joe Biden and we will keep you posted on her plans," an Obama aide said.
The timing of the rollout is uncertain.
"We know what pretty much everyone in America does: Michelle Obama is probably the most beloved member of the Democratic party and her support is a big deal," a Biden aide said. "Any future announcement would reflect the incredible impact her voice has."
Howard Gutman, a former Obama administration ambassador, said that "the Biden campaign will take anything they can get" from the former first lady.
"The question is, as a family matter, what kind of profile does she and her husband and her daughters want her to have?” he said. “It’s a question of how much they want her to be out there in the crossfire.”
Sources tell The Hill that Obama is expected to lend her name to an email fundraiser, potentially as early as next week. She may also lend her image to a direct mail campaign, while continuing the voter registration efforts she has spearheaded as the founder of a nonpartisan nonprofit group.
In addition, there are talks about the former first lady potentially filming a short online video in support of Biden that has a lighter tone than the one former President Obama filmed for his endorsement earlier this week.
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