C'MON SON! THOSE NERD GLASSES & READING TO KIDS AINT FOOLING US!

Controversial R&B star Chris Brown has a surprising new gig - reading to kids at a Harlem charter school.

Despite his conviction for beating up Rihanna at a pre-Grammy party last year, the "Run It" singer was invited to Sisulu-Walker Charter School's annual "Family Read Night."

"I extended an invitation to all celebrities and politicians, and we had an acceptance by him," said principal Dawn Cejas, who added the evening was geared to encourage students to read.

Brown pleaded guilty to a felony and was sentenced last August to community service along with a year of domestic-violence counseling for his attack on the "Umbrella" singer.

Olubunmi Sonubi, a mother of Sisulu-Walker fifth-grader Ishola, said she was okay with a "second chance" for Brown.

"He can come even though he was arrested," she said. "He's coming to read to the children. He apologized on TV. Sometimes in real life we make mistakes."

A spokesman for Brown didn't return a call for comment.