Ben Carson to read stories for children at home amid the coronavirus pandemic

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will read a weekly story to children who are staying home amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in a new web series.

“Throughout the summer, @SecretaryCarson will publish weekly story time videos for children who may be spending the summer at home because of COVID-19,” the department tweeted Thursday.

Throughout the summer, @SecretaryCarson will publish weekly story time videos for children who may be spending the summer at home because of COVID-19. He is kicking off the series with a reading of “Cookies,” by Keith Baker. pic.twitter.com/mrTyUEKB65

— HUDgov (@HUDgov) June 25, 2020

Carson’s first pick was “Cookies” by Keith Baker. The book tells the story of Mr. Green, who eats a tray of cookies despite being warned at first that they are “terrible.”

Carson tweeted Thursday “Reading is a fundamental part of learning and it certainly had an important impact on my life. A love of reading is a skill that will serve children greatly for the rest of their lives.” 

Reading is a fundamental part of learning and it certainly had an important impact on my life. A love of reading is a skill that will serve children greatly for the rest of their lives. Today, I’m excited to launch our summer reading series with “Cookies” by Keith Baker. pic.twitter.com/uBSNmJM1rK

— Ben Carson (@SecretaryCarson) June 25, 2020

Children across the country have been forced to attend school and preschool online in their homes during the pandemic. 

Earlier this year, former first lady Michelle Obama announced a weekly livestream story time session for children that lasted a month. The series was dubbed “Mondays with Michelle Obama.”

Groups of celebrities have also been reading to children in quarantine at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Actors Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams launched the program “Save With Stories” last month, enlisting fellow celebrities, medical professionals and others to read to children on Instagram. The program raises money for the charities Save the Children and No Kind Hungry.