Camila McConaughey read to 100,000 kids from the Long Center

Austin Independent School District students had an alright, alright, alright field trip.

Austin-based model, mother, and best-selling author Camila Alves McConaughey dropped by the Long Center to read her children’s book, “Just Try One Bite” on Fri., Sept. 30.

More than 2,000 AISD students listened to the event live, while an additional 100,000+ elementary students from around the state watched via livestream.

Gif by ATXtoday

The read-along was part of H-E-B’s Read 3 program, which has been running for 10 years and aims to have Texas children reading at least three times per week. Camila was joined by Austin Mayor Steve Adler — who proclaimed Sept. 30 as “Texas Reading Day” — and her daughter, Vida.

Photo by ATXtoday

Each child was given a copy of the book, and a few were invited on stage to read a passage of the book to their peers.

The book reverses the roles of the family, with the children trying to get their their picky-eating parents to try healthy, whole foods while still enjoying dinnertime.

Camila told ATXtoday she was inspired to write the book to spark a conversation about a topic both parents and children alike struggle with at home.

“If we set our kids with the right foundation, most likely they’re going to have lifelong better habits,” Camila said. “It wasn’t about preaching one way or another, it’s just a matter of [having] the conversation. Giving the kids the power to really have ownership was why we did the reversed roles.”

Want to learn more about how to participate in a Read 3 event? View upcoming events here, or click here for children’s activities, a curated book list, and reading lessons.