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 — a little-known holiday, but one worth celebrating with a good story.

The day was founded to promote literacy and encourage parents and children to read aloud to one another. 

If you don't have a book handy, or if you'd rather be read 

, enjoy this selection of stories and poems, read by some familiar voices.

This recording of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from "The Hobbit" was created in 1952, according to the website 

. Tolkien had never used a tape recorder before, and when his friend showed him the machine, he was enamored.

In the recording, Tolkien even puts on his best Gollum voice.

J.R.R. Tolkien read from "The Hobbit" by brainpicker

Christopher Walken reads "The Raven," by Edgar Allan Poe

Can you think of a better voice to give life to Poe's haunting poem? Walken lends his creepy cadence to this hair-raising reading.

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe - Read by Christopher Walken by olyfantastique

Truman Capote reads from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Capote gave a reading from from his classic in New York City in 1963.

Truman Capote Reads From Breakfast At Tiffany's April 7, 1963.

Flannery O'Connor reads "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

O'Connor read from one of her best-known stories at Vanderbilt University in 1959. The recording goes on to 

Flannery O' Connor reading "A Good Man is Hard to Find" part 1/3

Short, sweet, not to be missed: The groundbreaking poet reads her famous eight-line poem.

Gwendolyn Brooks We Real Cool by PacificaRadioArchives

Betty White reads "Harry the Dirty Dog," by Gene Zion

The comedian picks up a book for the little ones, and reads the story of a dog who just doesn't want to take a bath.

Al Gore reads "Brave Irene," by William Steig

The former vice president lends his dulcet tones to the story of a dressmaker's plucky daughter.

James Earl Jones reads "To Be a Drum," by Evelyn Coleman

Jones' voice is now a national treasure, but it wasn't always that way. In this recording, Jones shares the story of childhood battles with stuttering and dyslexia, before reading a children's tale about African-American history.

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Tracy Mumford

Author

Today is World Read Aloud Day. To celebrate, listen to some classic literature and children's books read by familiar voices: Al Gore, Flannery O'Connor and more.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Background, context, and more: http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/08/06/tolkien-reads-from-the-hobbit/

Listen to J.R.R. Tolkien, Gwendolyn Brooks and Betty White read stories out loud

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