Cosplay group turns to video to reach kids at home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Members of the cosplay group Carolina Action Figures usually dress up as characters to visit children in area hospitals and participate in charity events, but with hospital visits and large gatherings no longer allowed because of the coronavirus pandemic, they’re having to get creative.

Member Al Bigley told Channel 9 his group is now making videos, still dressed up as characters, but reading books to kids virtually, instead.

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“We can’t go in, so you don’t get the nice moments of seeing the kids’ faces light up,” Bigley explained. “What we are doing is making videos, reading books as characters, so kids and their parents can have a little entertainment and relief from all this, but via Facebook and YouTube.”

The inventive videos have been a quick hit, with some amassing close to 1,000 views in a week. Kids can watch "Spider-man" web up his book before he begins to read, and "Batman" get creative with Sesame Street's The Monster at the End of this Book."

Bigley said he's just happy the group is able to touch families right now, where they are.

"We're glad we can help kids who are bored at home, parents who are bored at home, and maybe also expose them to books they may not be familiar with and spark an interest in reading," Bigley said.

If you’d like to watch Carolina Action Figures’ videos, you can visit its Facebook page here.

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