This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato's Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Amid his 10th Major League season, Josh Bell is adding a new job title to his resume: author.
Bell partnered with literacy start-up Ello to write and publish the children’s book “What Color is the Sky.” He will read his debut book next Sunday, July 6, during Story Time at Nationals Park.
“The underlying theme of the book is something I want my kids to take to heart and grow up with -- to know that no matter what happens, to keep their head up,” Bell said in the event announcement.
“This story specifically is really important to me. It’s going to be awesome for my family -- my mom is an author and it’s nice to be able to follow in her footsteps, and it will be awesome for kids all over to know my story and to know where I come from.”
Bell is the first published author in Ello’s Storytellers program, created to encourage kids to read through the personal stories of athletes and celebrities. Ello is building an AI reading tutor for children.
“Ello is thrilled to be partnering with the Washington Nationals to support children’s literacy in the D.C. area,” said Elizabeth Adams, PhD clinical psychologist and co-founder at Ello. “The Nationals have a long history of working in the community to make literacy a priority among D.C. families. Ello’s mission is to teach any child how to read from start to finish regardless of resources, and we are excited to work with the Nationals toward that goal.”
Story Time at Nationals Park is included with a ticket for that day’s game. It is scheduled to be held at 12:15 p.m. ET in the Kennedy Conference Room. (The Left Field Gate will open at noon for those attending.)
A limited number of Bell’s book will be given out during the July 6 Story Time. “What Color is the Sky” also will be available for free on the Ello app.
“Josh is an amazing partner,” said Adams. “At Ello, we love collaborating with literacy champions like Josh who are willing to put in the work to help kids learn how to read. His story is incredible, and I have no doubt it will help spark a love of reading for countless young Nats fans. We’re proud to be able to share Josh’s book with the tens of thousands of families using Ello at home to support their children’s independent reading.”
The Nationals are hosting five Story Times this season. Following July 6, there are reading events scheduled for Aug. 3 ("Play Ball, Pikachu" by Sonia Sander) and Sept. 14 ("Baseball on Mars" by Rafael Rivera Jr. and Tim Hoppey).