Reading is Love (2025)

Synopsis

In the heartwarming documentary Reading is Love, directed by Amber Monet, two retired football players—Brent Johnstone and Akeiff Staples—embark on a transformative 30-day quest to spark a passion for reading among young children, visiting 30 daycares across their community to prove that education’s power can reshape futures. What begins as a high-stakes challenge evolves into a profound exploration of legacy, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of mentorship, as these gridiron veterans trade helmets for storybooks, facing logistical hurdles, emotional revelations, and unexpected joys along the way. Joined by family members like Lance Johnstone and LaJewel Harrison, their journey illuminates how simple acts of sharing stories can ignite lifelong curiosity, heal generational divides, and remind us that true heroism lies not on the field, but in fostering the next generation’s dreams through the magic of words.