The Emmy-winning children’s literacy program Storyline Online® kicked off the Halloween season with a new video featuring Academy Award-winning actor Kate Winslet reading Room on the Broom, the beloved children’s classic about friendship, generosity and adventure. The read-aloud premieres today on StorylineOnline.net and the Storyline Online YouTube channel.
Written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House, Room on the Broom follows a friendly witch and her cat as they happily fly through the sky on their broomstick. When the wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand, a helpful dog, bird and frog retrieve her belongings, each asking for just one thing in return: a ride on the broom.
The witch gladly makes room for each new friend, but with a growing group of passengers, the broom eventually snaps in two, sending everyone tumbling to the ground. When the witch suddenly finds herself face-to-face with a hungry dragon, her new friends must work together to come to her rescue. Filled with humor, adventure and Julia Donaldson’s playful rhymes, the story celebrates kindness, inclusion and the power of friendship.
Winslet brings warmth, humor and a sense of adventure to the Halloween favorite, embracing the story’s playful rhymes and colorful cast of characters. Her lively performance captures the fun and excitement of the witch’s increasingly crowded journey while bringing heart to a story about making room for others and discovering what friends can accomplish together.
“I have read this book to all of my children, and it’s from the same author as ‘The Gruffalo’ and the same illustrator as ‘The Gruffalo,’ and the same author and illustrator too as ‘The Smartest Giant in Town,’ said Winslet. “I really love being able to go into the worlds of these authors because they are imaginative. They are fun. There are always lots of characters. And as a person who loves reading stories to children, there are always lots of fun and silly voices to do.”
The video is accompanied by a free activity guide for parents and teachers, aligned with Common Core Standards, to support reading comprehension and creative engagement.
“Room on the Broom has delighted children and families for 25 years because beneath all of the magic and adventure is a beautiful message about kindness, generosity and making room for others,” said Courtney B. Vance, President and Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. “Kate is an extraordinary storyteller, and we are thrilled to have her bring this beloved book to life for Storyline Online. It’s the perfect story to share with children, families and classrooms as we head into the Halloween season.”
With millions of views each month, Storyline Online features celebrated actors reading beloved children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Produced by the nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the series is available for free, 24/7, to children, families and educators around the world.
Room on the Broom is the 104th read-aloud in Storyline Online’s acclaimed library, which includes read-alouds by Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Adam Brody, Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, John Lithgow, Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Chris Pine, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Yeoh and many more.
To watch Kate Winslet’s reading of Room on the Broom and explore the full library of free videos, visit StorylineOnline.net. Keep up with new videos by subscribing to Storyline Online on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Instagram, X and Facebook.
