After a night at the library, stuffed animals help kids read

By Robert Jimison, CNN

Updated 2141 GMT (0541 HKT) February 28, 2017

Stuffed animal sleepover programs have been conducted by libraries worldwide. A team of Japanese researchers recently found that the programs may encourage children to read.
Photos: Stuffed animal sleepovers encourage kids to read
Stuffed animal sleepover programs have been conducted by libraries worldwide. A team of Japanese researchers recently found that the programs may encourage children to read.
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After children leave their stuffed animals at the library for a night, staff members and volunteers snap images of the animals exploring books and acting out scenes from popular stories.
Photos: Stuffed animal sleepovers encourage kids to read
After children leave their stuffed animals at the library for a night, staff members and volunteers snap images of the animals exploring books and acting out scenes from popular stories.
Hide Caption
2 of 6
"Surprisingly, not only did the children show interest in the picture books, but they also began to read to their stuffed animals," Yoshihiro Okazaki of Okayama University, lead author of the Japanese study.