Today, February 1st, is World Read Aloud Day. This global effort created by LitWorld (a Library of Congress Literacy Award Honoree) and sponsored by Scholastic “call[s] attention to the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud!”

This may not be the first time we celebrate this day, but it is a first time that we’re joined by Meg Medina, the newly inaugurated National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Her platform, “Cuéntame! Let’s talk books,” is inspired by the phrase Spanish-speaking friends and families use to catch up with one another, and encourages connection amongst families, classrooms, and libraries, by talking about books. Below, you can see her demonstrating a book talk at her inauguration for upcoming book Elena Rides by Juana Medina (no relation, as Meg pointed out!).

Meg Medina does a book talk during her inaugural event at the Library of Congress, 1/24/2023. Photo by Shawn Miller

Meg Medina is a big believer in all kinds of reading, whether you read a print book, an e-book, or listen to someone read aloud to you—all reading counts!

In fact, let Meg read aloud to you for 2023 World Read Aloud Day. She selected her first picture book, Tía Isa Wants a Car, illustrated by Claudio Muñez.

Enjoy more read-alouds from the Library:

Jamie Lee Curtis reads This is Me: A Story of Who We Are & Where We Come From
Atinuke reads Baby Goes to Market
Adam Rubin reads High Five during the National Book Festival 2019
Don Tate reads William Still and His Freedom Stories during the National Book Festival 2020
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney (read by Library of Congress specialist Thea Austen)

What is your favorite book, story, or poem to read aloud?