Wanda Sykes is on the case to bring a love of reading to millions of children worldwide as the newest reader for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's children’s literacy website Storyline Online (storylineonline.net).
Sykes reads The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake (storylineonline.net/books/missing-carrot-cake). Written by Robin Newman, illustrated by Deborah Zemke and published by Creston Books, The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake is a humorous, whodunit detective story filled with baked-in clues, animal suspects, video surveillance, and stake-outs.
When Miss Rabbit’s carrot cake goes missing on Ed’s farm, “missing food investigators” (MFIs) and mice Detective Wilcox and Captain Griswold must track down the thieves. The entertaining and witty The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake can be used to start a conversation with children about the power of persistence, investigating a topic through asking questions, and food-based idioms and puns.
Sykes concludes her reading by sharing why she chose to read The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, “I love crime stories and these detectives, they did not give up. Also the animals they worked together to solve the problem, and most of all, I love cake!”
Wanda Sykes is the latest actor to join an expanding cast of Storyline Online readers that includes Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Christian Slater, Betty White and James Earl Jones. Storyline Online features beloved performers reading cherished children’s books aloud alongside creatively produced original illustrations. The site streams more than 40 videos at no cost and with no advertising for children, parents, and educators worldwide, and receives over 6 million views every month.
“We are thrilled Wanda Sykes has joined our cast of Storyline Online readers,” said Cyd Wilson, Executive Director of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. “The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake is a fun crime-solving book for kids, and Wanda’s storytelling and character portrayals bring all of the intrigue and humor to life. We’re excited to add this story to our digital library and proud to have Wanda as a champion of children’s literacy.”
The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake comes with supplemental activity guides aligned with Common Core Standards for both home and school that strengthen verbal, written and comprehension skills. Aimed at students in the 2nd and 3rd grades, these activities encourage students to engage in critical thinking and ponder the themes from the book including problem solving, patience, community and friendship.
The award-winning Storyline Online website recently unveiled its redesigned website and a new app for iPhone and Android. The free app features the full digital library of Storyline Online videos, complimentary educational activity guides and more.
To view The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake and all of the Storyline Online videos, visit storylineonline.net, and subscribe to youtube.com/storylineonline. Keep up with new videos to be released in 2018 by following @StorylineOnline on Twitter and /StorylineOnline on Facebook.
