Hollywood actors read bedtime stories to children in lockdown

Hollywood actors including Eddie Redmayne, Reece Witherspoon and Glenn Close are turning to storybooks to read a bedtime story to children in coronavirus lockdown.

Actor Eddie Redmayne read 'Zog' By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Credit: Save the Children

Film stars have turned into children's storytellers and signed up to an Instagram Live scheme called 'Save with stories' to fundraise for charity.

Their storytelling efforts are raising funds for the charities Save the Children and No Kid Hungry. The money will help foodbanks and other community-based initiatives to feed children who rely on but are missing out on school meals because of the coronavirus.

British actor Eddie Redmayne is part of the campaign and has read 'Zog' By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal read a Jamie Lee Curtis story called 'Where Do Balloons Go?'.

Jennifer Garner:'Fun and education to kids and parents stuck at home'

Actress Jennifer Garner reading to children as part of the Save with stories campaign. Credit: Save the Children

Hollywood actresses Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams, said in a joint statement, 'In partnership with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry, we’re offering stories on Instagram and Facebook to provide fun and education to kids and parents stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

'Your donation will help Save the Children and No Kid Hungry make sure schools and community programs have the support they need to keep brains and bellies full.

'You’re also supporting our important work to meet the health, education and nutrition needs of kids in other countries impacted by coronavirus. Can you please help?'

The celebrities’ storytelling videos have been viewed more than 27m times.

Dolly Parton Credit:YouTube is scheduled to begin her ‘Goodnight With Dolly’ series on YouTube on 3 April.

Actress Dolly Parton has kick-started her own weekly online storytelling programme.

The country singer began her ‘Goodnight With Dolly’ series on YouTube on 3 April. The first book she chose to read to children was ‘The Little Engine That Could’.

Dolly Parton’s charity Imagination Library (which she started in 1996) has given more than 130m free books to children.

The trend for celebrity bedtime storytelling follows a tried and tested move undertaken by the BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Story.