First Lady to Read to Children Via Radio

First Lady Barbara Bush will read aloud to children on a radio show that will be aired by a Ventura station on Thanksgiving Day, a radio station announced.

KVEN (1450) will broadcast “Mrs. Bush’s Story Time,” a children’s radio program that features the First Lady reading children’s stories, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., said David Loe, the station’s general manager.

The program, which usually lasts half an hour and is in its second year, is designed to encourage children to read, Loe said. Literacy experts say reading aloud is the most effective way to get children interested in books, Loe said.

One of every five Americans is functionally illiterate, he said.

Bush’s half-hour program will be aired every Saturday through Feb. 15. The first half-hour program begins on Dec. 7. In addition to the four-hour Thanksgiving Day special, KVEN will broadcast another four-hour special on Christmas Day from 5 a.m. to noon.