Emmy® Award-Nominated Actor Zach Braff Joins Storyline Online® with Heartwarming Reading of ‘Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick’

Zach Braff reads for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s children’s literacy program Storyline Online® / Photo courtesy of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation

Storyline Online®, the Emmy® Award-winning children’s literacy program of the nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, proudly welcomes Emmy®-nominated actor Zach Braff as its newest reader. Braff brings to life Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick, written by Roz Rosenbluth, illustrated by Maurie J. Manning, and published by Flashlight Press.

Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick is a humorous and touching story that explores themes of friendship, empathy, and the unexpected ways we connect with others. Through Braff’s engaging narration, young audiences will be captivated by the tale of a young boy navigating the complexities of friendship when his charismatic and unpredictable friend, Ruben Plotnick, comes to visit.

Storyline Online streams free, creatively produced videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside animated illustrations. As with all Storyline Online videos, Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick comes with a free teacher’s guide aligned with Common Core Standards that strengthens verbal, written, and comprehension skills. Aimed at 1st – 3rd grade students, the activities encourage children to engage in critical thinking activities and explore the themes of this book including friendship, family, empathy, aging and grandparents.

Courtney B. Vance, Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for Braff’s participation: “We are thrilled to have Zach Braff join the Storyline Online family. His dynamic storytelling brings Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick to life in a way that will inspire children to embrace empathy and celebrate the diverse friendships that enrich their lives.”

Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers, and educators worldwide. With over 900 million views worldwide, the program has been recognized by the American Federation of Teachers and the American Library Association for its significant impact on children’s literacy. In addition, Meryl Streep recently won a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for her reading of The Three Questions for Storyline Online, making her the program’s first Emmy-winning storyteller.

In addition to Zach Braff, Storyline Online features over 90 acclaimed actors reading beloved children’s books aloud, including Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Rami Malek, Chris Pine, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Yeoh and many more.

To watch Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick and all of Storyline Online’s read-alouds, visit storylineonline.net. Keep up with new videos by subscribing to Storyline Online on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Storyline Online is made possible through gifts, grants and sponsorships. For more information about becoming a Storyline Online sponsor, please email sponsorship@sagaftra.foundation.