While it’s possible you are unfamiliar with the early childhood educator and YouTuber Ms Rachel, she is likely already important to some of your youngest patrons and their families.
The YouTube channel Rachel Accurso and her husband, “Mr Aron” created in 2019 has grown into a children’s entertainment mega hit with picture books, a Netflix partnership, collabs with other franchises such as Sesame Street and Blippi, and a Melissa & Doug toy line. Ms Rachel has also been nominated for two awards at the upcoming 2026 Children’s and Family Emmys. Additionally, she’s got over 18 million YouTube subscribers.
Informed by her masters degrees in both music education and early childhood education, Ms Rachel provides a safe place for all young children to learn and have fun with games and original music. Ms. Rachel’s program includes what you might expect — social-emotional learning, phonics, colors, shapes, etc. An episode of Ms Rachel will look a lot like the many story hours you’ve hosted and the curricula of the early childhood centers your library partners with. While her show is geared for the under 4 set, Ms. Rachel is also passionate about giving encouragement to caregivers.
In addition to her educational programming, Ms Rachel has gained attention this past year for her advocacy on behalf of Palestinian children. This activism led to accusations of being an antisemite and a member of Hamas, but her justice work was recognized by Glamour when she was recipient of one Glamour’s Women of the Year awards in 2025. This is not the first time Ms. Rachel has been under scrutiny. In the past she has been met with boycotts in response to social media posts celebrating Pride Month and for including a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns on her show. But despite the ere of some, Ms Rachel continues to preach an inclusive message. In a recent Instagram post (that was reshared by Raffi!), she writes:
“Just so you know, you are welcome in Ms Rachel’s classroom & I love you
People who are trans, gay, nonbinary
People who are Somali
People who are any religion – Muslim,
Jewish, Christian or not religious
People who use food stamps
Democrats, republicans
People who are undocumented
People who hate me”
In an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Ms. Rachel discussed the inspiration Fred Rogers has served for her life and career. And while Rogers might be most remembered today for his soft gentle voice and zip-up cardigans, his eponymous television show, Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood didn’t shy away for controversial topics either. Helping children work through scary news items like war (the very first episodes) and making bold stances against segregation by sharing a cooldown in a kiddie pool with Officer Clemmons, played by actor François Clemmons who is of African descent.
Much like Fred Rogers, Ms. Rachel has begun to write picture books that aim to support children through transitions and new experiences, such as a birthdays, bedtime, and potty training. As New York City plans to roll out a baby box program citywide, Ms Rachel volunteered her support via social media to provide books for the initiative and recently made an appearance with the new mayor of New York City at an area preschool.
Matthew Hazzard
Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee
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