As a father of two, R&B singer Omarion knows very well the importance of parents reading to their children. He recently teamed up with ESSENCE to create his new Instagram Live series “Storytime With Daddy O.” Featuring Omarion and his two kids, 6-year-old Megaa and 4-year-old A’mei Grandberry, they read children’s books from “well-known and up-and-coming authors” together and even offer people chances to win autographed copies of the books they read.
Omarion posts episodes of his show on his Instagram. One recent post has him and his kids celebrating “back to school” season with two books, First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg and Riley’s Routines: Nighttime by Tia Clarke. The post’s caption reads: “Storytime with Daddy O. In honor of Back To School, on today’s Storytime With Daddy O featuring Megaa and A’mei powered by @essence today we read 📖 First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg and 📚 Riley’s Routine – Nighttime by Tia Clarke @riley_s_routine txt STORYTIME to 65047 for your chance to win today’s autographed books.”
Another episode Omarion posted features him reading a version of the classic fable “Three Little Pigs.” The caption reads: “#storytimewithdaddyO. For today’s ‘Storytime With Daddy O featuring Megaa and A’mei powered by @essence we read 📖 The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by @jon_scieszka and 📚 Beads and Braids @thebeadsandbraidsbook by mommy duo @marissajacobs and @aryntaylordiggs txt STORYTIME to 65047 for your chance to win today’s autographed books.”
Some other children’s books that Omarion has read to his children on “Storytime With Daddy O” also include Hair Love by former NFL player Matthew A. Cherry, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning short film and is now being made into a TV series.
Omarion shares Megaa and A’mei with his ex-girlfriend Apryl Jones, and as a doting father, he loves nothing more than reading to them. “One of the most important things you can do with your kids is read to them,” says Omarion. “Reading not only improves your brain’s connectivity, it also increases attention spans, focus, and concentration. The more we read, the more our brains are able to link cause and effect.”
