The Goddard School®, a leading early childhood education provider, has officially set a Guinness World Records title for the “most viewers for a reading live stream on YouTube.” A total of 6,535 concurrent viewers watched as Steve Burns, the beloved original host of the children’s television show “Blue’s Clues,” read the book “Curious Blueberry the Carousel Horse.”
The record-breaking event, which took place at The Goddard School of Manhattan (StuyTown), was held to celebrate the start of National Literacy Month and the new school year. While 6,535 devices were officially counted by Guinness World Records, the total viewership was significantly higher, with tens of thousands of students and teachers from more than 650 Goddard Schools across the nation tuning in live from single devices in their classrooms.
“Goddard Schools nurture the extraordinary capabilities of nearly 100,000 children every day, and now our faculty and students have collectively contributed to an extraordinary accomplishment: a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title,” said Darin Harris, CEO of Goddard Systems, LLC. “This life lesson will serve Goddard School students well throughout not just their academic careers, but also their personal and professional lives.”
Beyond the record, the event highlighted the importance of early literacy in a child’s development. The book read by Burns, “Curious Blueberry the Carousel Horse,” was written by award-winning author Steve Metzger and designed to complement The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning®. This program encourages children to follow their natural curiosity and ask questions, which helps build essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills. The book itself features open-ended questions throughout the story to create an engaging experience for young readers.
The record-setting event has inspired watch parties and celebrations at Goddard Schools nationwide, underscoring the brand’s commitment to making learning a fun and collaborative experience. The book is now available for purchase, offering a way for families to continue practicing inquiry-based learning at home.
