Usha Vance Launches Children’s Reading Podcast to Promote Literacy at Home
WASHINGTON — Second Lady Usha Vance on Monday launched a new children’s podcast aimed at encouraging reading and improving literacy, combining classic storytelling with appearances from well-known public figures.
Titled “Storytime with the Second Lady,” the podcast debuted with three episodes released simultaneously on Spotify and YouTube, according to an official announcement.
The first episode features Vance reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, a book she described as a childhood favorite that she now shares with her own children.
“Story time with my kids is the highlight of my day,” Vance said in the opening episode, adding that books have taken her family “on so many adventures” and helped them learn about “science and nature, faraway countries, ancient civilizations, America’s history, and more.”
The initiative is designed to promote reading beyond the classroom and address declining literacy levels among children. “Reading for pleasure at home builds stronger literacy and classroom skills and opens the door to a world of opportunity for children,” Vance said in the announcement.
Future episodes will feature guest readers from across public life, including athletes, authors, and other prominent figures.
In one early episode, former race car driver Danica Patrick joins Vance to read from Disney’s Cars and reflects on her own childhood reading habits. “Just like any kid, you know, you love the stories,” Patrick said, recalling books such as Berenstain Bears and Goosebumps.
Another episode features author and Paralympian Brent Poppen, who reads from his children’s book Playground Lessons, which focuses on inclusion and resilience through the story of a young student who uses a wheelchair.
“It’s important for those other kids to realize that Harley is not defined by his disability,” Poppen said, emphasizing that “it’s what’s on the inside that really matters.”
The podcast builds on Vance’s earlier Summer Reading Challenge launched in June 2025, which drew tens of thousands of submissions from all 50 states and most U.S. territories. Officials said both initiatives are aimed at fostering curiosity and a love of learning outside traditional school settings.
Each episode is designed as a shared reading experience, with Vance introducing guests and encouraging families to read together at home. “When we read, we grow,” she says at the close of each episode.
The effort comes as educators and policymakers across the United States continue to raise concerns about declining reading proficiency among school-age children, particularly following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: IANS)
