Is it for children or is it for teenagers? That is the question.
The YouTube channel, Mima’s Zone TV, was started in 2015 for small children up to the age of eight. However, over the years teenagers and even some adults have commented how the stories have helped them to remember their own grandma or calm their troubled hearts.
Viewers from all over the world are tuning in. With viewers from countries as far as Korea and Australia, Mima’s reading has helped fussy babies to calm down, toddlers to laugh and engage, and sick homebound children to be entertained.
Additionally, the videos have helped with pronunciation of English as a second language, and have been a valuable resource for babysitters, nannies, and busy parents as bedtime stories. Recently, a teacher in Ghana commented on one of Mima’s Zone TV’s videos saying that he uses the “program” to teach his students in primary school!
How did Mima’s Zone TV get started?
The YouTube channel began almost 10 years ago when Susan Escalante (Mima) a resident of Pleasant Grove, at the time, had to say goodbye to her tiny grandchildren who were moving away out of state. She wanted to encourage her babies to read, knowing that reading is the basis for most education. Mima also wanted to give her grandchildren a way to hear her voice and see her every day.
Mima’s videos are read to her audience as if they were sitting right there in the room with her. Each is a one-take, authentic reaction, editorialized video that often includes an occasional dog barking or motorcycle driving by. Most of the videos are of Mima reading stories, but some of the videos are simply Mima talking about random life hacks or interesting observations.
Several of the videos are interviews with other people. Such as Nathan Osmond, country singer and public speaker. Lance Allred, first NBA deaf player (Cleveland Cavaliers) and author/speaker. And her own son, Christopher Escalante, a voice actor, musical composer and influencer.
Mima anticipates adding more interviews as she continues to build her YouTube channel. She is always looking for children’s books that her readers would like to hear her read. Submit suggestionsto Mima via email: mimaszone@gmail.com. Especially now with more and more teens subscribing, Mima wants to learn what books to read for them, too!
Mima has done some personal appearances reading books to groups of children, and she is willing to travel or do video conferencing. She hopes to make it to Sydney, Seoul, and Europe some day to read to her friends and fans there.
The future of Mima’s Zone TV YouTube channel is bright and includes continued growth. Sending out lots of love and fun new ideas that are currently on the drawing board! Stay tuned.
