Call In To Hear Celebs Read Bedtime Stories, BK Library Says

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn Library program will bring the voices of Patty Smyth, Rhonda Ross, Sophie Auster and other celebrities right to New Yorkers' living rooms next week.

A "Library on Call" service through the Brooklyn Public Library will let New Yorkers call in each night next week to hear bedtime stories from certain celebrity "musical friends."

The service is part of a library-by-phone program launched during the coronavirus pandemic to keep Brooklynites connected to their public library from home, particularly those without access to the internet.

This time around, the bedtime stories will feature musicians, actresses and other famous performers reading children's bedtime stories or singing bedtime songs.

Young children and "those young at heart" can hear the stories each day of the week by calling 718 230-2283. New stories will be posted each day by noon.

Here's a look at the line-up:

Monday August 16
Patty Smyth, Grammy and Academy Award nominated singer songwriter, reading The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable by Bette Midler.

Tuesday August 17
Rhonda Ross, with her 11-year-old son, Raif-Henok, reading Sing to the Moon by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl. Ross is a singer, songwriter, director and Emmy-nominated actress for her portrayal Toni Burrell on the soap opera Another World.

Wednesday August 18
Sophie Auster, a Brooklyn native and award-winning singer songwriter, reading How to Tell A True Princess from The Yellow Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang.

Thursday August 19
Lauren Monroe reading The Adventures of Josie Stardust by Lauren Monroe. Monroe is an accomplished musician, healer, author, speaker and globally recognized advocate for mental health awareness, PTSD therapies, suicide prevention and crises healing.

Friday August 20
January Jane singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. New York-based January Jane is an alternative pop trio. Their latest EP is an ode to New York City.