Bookmarks is a brand new Netflix show for kids that features Black authors and celebrities reading picture books. It's a fantastic way to experience great books!
Any fellow Reading Rainbow fans out there? If so, you're going to love Bookmarks, a brand new show for kids on Netflix.
It released on September 1st, and we've been watching it every day since. We're on our way to becoming super fans (and I'm already wondering if and when there will be a second season).
What is Bookmarks About?
Bookmarks, like Reading Rainbow, is designed to help kids and their parents find great books. What makes it extra special is that it was specifically created to celebrate Black voices in children's literature.
The books featured on Bookmarks are written by Black authors, illustrated by Black artists, and they all feature Black characters.
In each episode (which range from 3 minutes to 11 minutes), a Black author or celebrity reads a picture book and shares the illustrations. But it's more than just a simple read aloud. The authors and readers really bring the books to life! When Tiffany Haddish reads I Love my Hair, she makes hilarious asides that had all my kids giggling. At the very end, she pulls off her wig and surprises everyone by showing off her shaved head.
The show is simple and not overly produced, which really allows the books to shine.
The show is hosted by 15-year-old Marley Dias, who is someone young people can really look up to. When she was 10 years old she decided she wanted to see more books by and about people that looked like her in her school library.
She got to work and launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks drive in 2015 and ended up collecting over 11,000 books.
Dias is the perfect host for the show!
What Books are Featured on Bookmarks?
The season features a truly stellar lineup of books for kids! Here's the lineup if you want to read along with the show.
What Ages is Bookmarks For?
Really, the show and the books it features are for everyone. Since the episodes are so short and simple, I think kids as young as 2 or 3 could enjoy it as well as older kids and even teens.
This grown-up book lover is enjoying it just as much as the kids I watch it with! I can't recommend Bookmarks on Netflix highly enough.
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