Storytimes Online (click this link to see collection)
” You are special and important just because of being who you are.” Best-selling children’s book author Todd Parr wants every kid to feel just how special they truly are, and that’s why we’re celebrating #BeWhoYouAreDay on September 30. Please join us in some (or all!) of the ways to celebrate the kids in your life, as they continue to navigate an ever-changing world around them, while discovering and celebrating who they are! Just visit the website below for a link to a special live event on the 30th, plus all kinds of #BeWhoYouAreDay fun stuff!
Activities & Resources
Charlesbridge
Activities and downloadables for titles by this publisher.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Follow the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on Facebook to see a throwback collection of DIY posts and videos from the MakeShop, including making a chair out of newspapers and a bag out of a t-shirt.
Comics & Graphic Novel e-Books for Children and Teens (Free!)
The State Library has partnered with BiblioBoard to launch a free e-book library of 172 graphic novels and comics available for children and teens in New Jersey. If you’re physically located in the state, you’re in! A library card isn’t required, and there are no hold queues. This collection uses geolocation to provide access to any youth. The library includes a limited collection of simultaneous use e-books from leading children’s comics and graphic novel publishers and the San Jose Public Library Graphic Novel Archive from their Graphic Novel Writing Contests. The collection is available now through August. Learn more here.
Common Sense Media
When kids have earned some screen time or parents need a quick break, check out Common Sense Media for some direction on recommended apps, books, TV shows, movies and more. For those not familiar with Common Sense Media, reviews include tips on what parents need to know, talking points and ratings, keeping age levels in mind.
Crayola
Coloring pages, DIY crafts, and other at home activities, including live craft demos
Disney’s Imagineering in a Box
A fun, free course from Disney for kids to design their own theme park: “Imagineering in a Box is designed to pull back the curtain to show you how artists, designers and engineers work together to create theme parks. Go behind the scenes with Disney Imagineers and complete project-based exercises to design a theme park of your very own.” Best suited for older children/young teens.
Neil Gaiman has a webpage called Mouse Circus, “The Official Neil Gaiman Website for Younger Readers”. Among other fun stuff, he reads aloud the entirety of The Graveyard Book and Coraline on video. Best suited for young teens.
. Disney: Learn to Draw
If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to add some Disney magic to your day, Disney is sharing something special – a complete series of how-to tutorials on drawing Mickey Mouse & friends through the years.
Free Virtual Escape Challenges (library created)
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Hogwarts Digital Escape RoomBrought to you by Peters Township Public Library in PA. You’ll be challenged to enjoy a “muggle pastime” and work as a team to escape without using magic!
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Escape from WonderlandBrought to you by Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System in GA. Your challenge is to escape from Wonderland and, contrary to Alice’s experience, it won’t be as easy as just waking up!
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Escape from NarniaBrought to you by St. Albans Library in England. Can you proceed through the story, or will you be stuck on page one?
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Escape from the TARDISBrought to you by Chester County Library in PA. Your challenge: the Doctor has been kidnapped and you’ve been locked in the TARDIS in an effort to thwart your ability to rescue him… all on your first day as the Doctor’s new companion.
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Escape from Starkiller BaseBrought to you by Richmond Hill Public Library in Canada. Your challenge is to escape Star Killer Base, intact with information on the First Order’s manufacturing center.
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Star Wars Digital Escape RoomBrought to you by Hillsdale Free Public Library in NJ. Another bounty hunter has made off with your bounty – can you find them before your hour is up?
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Marvel’s Avengers: Escape from the Hydra BaseBrought to you by Richmond Hill Public Library in Canada. Your challenge: escape a locked down Hydra Base, with the city location of a world-ending doomsday device.
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Trapped in the Old Parrish HouseBrought to you by Cuyahoga Falls Library in Ohio. You’ve been triple dog dared to head into the old, abandoned Parrish House and steal something. Can you get back out?
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Escape the Fairy Tale, Part 1Brought to you by East Orange Public Library in NJ. It’s easy to get lost in the fairy realms; keep your wits about you as you explore and escape Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
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Books Alive! Escape the RhymesBrought to you by Bay County Library in Michigan. Your challenge: escape the book of nursery rhymes that you’ve been transported into, having fallen asleep reading it.
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Dog Man Digital Escape RoomCreated by a school librarian. If you escape, Dog Man will too. Save him!
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More Library-Created Digital Escape Rooms & ActivitiesSee this list compiled by another library, Sun Prairie Public Library in Wisconsin, for even more fun escape adventures!
The Ickabog is J.K. Rowling’s new book! It’s free and published on the Web in serial form! You can access it here:
The best music, videos, and books for kids – that grownups love, too! Her Facebook page offers educational videos, including live “Berkner Breaks” most weekdays at 10AM.
LivBits
A schedule of live reading events, along with other KidLit resources.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
The Kennedy Center’s YouTube channel presents Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems. Spend some time and create some fun crafts with Mo Willems.
PBS Kids
PBS Kids has compiled a list of specific resources for talking to your child about coronavirus, including episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street. The list is found here. In addition, parents can sign up for a special PBS Kids newsletter with daily tips and activities to try while the kids are at home. Sign-up at the PBS Kids website.
Peachtree
Activity sheets, event kits, and reading guides for kids of all ages.
Penguin Middle School Videos
” At Penguin Middle School, we take pride in publishing the best books for every middle schooler. Tune in for videos from your favorite best selling authors, animated shorts featuring our popular characters, insider staff scoop on our books, and much more! Find us online at:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/penguinkidsbooks Twitter http://twitter.com/penguinkids Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/penguinkids/ Instagram http://instagram.com/penguinkids “
Podyssey
Fun and interesting podcasts to entertain and educate kids (and parents!). Great screen-free entertainment the whole family can enjoy.
Ranger Rick
Sign up for three months of free access to all of Ranger Rick’s games, jokes, videos, awesome animal articles, and more! This offer is good through June 30, 2020.
Read, Wonder, and Learn!
Find a growing collection of resources that include everything from first-chapter and picture book read-alouds (all shared with permission!) to drawing and writing mini-lessons. Be sure to check back often, as new resources will be added every day.
Reading is Fundamental
This site was created to help parents and childcare providers develop the language skills of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The site includes nursery rhymes, fingerplays, games, and songs. There is also a page for parents with videos and activities to encourage reading.
Scholastic Learn at Home
Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!
The Social Express
A company focused on Social-Emotional Learning and Career Path Exploration.
Socrates for Library Patrons
The Socrates Learning Platform is an award-winning learning platform created in partnership with the National Science Foundation. Socrates uses artificial intelligence to personalize learning for each student, adjusting in real-time to their needs across over 2000 detailed topics of knowledge. Socrates makes learning fun through 18 gamification elements, encouraging children to learn and progress more. It also includes hundreds of learning videos aligned to standards.
Currently Socrates provides over 2 million questions in Math, English Language Arts, Sight Words, and Science for grades K-6, as well as Math through grade 8. Socrates includes a powerful parent progress center that allows parents to see where kids need help, practice with them, and monitor their progress. Socrates is also available in Spanish.
Storyline Online
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
TIME for Kids
TIME for Kids digital library is free for the rest of the school year. As the world asks more of families and teachers, TIME for Kids salutes you, and they’re here to support you! TIME for Kids is in the unique position to help kids understand this unprecedented moment.
TumbleBooks
TumbleBookLibrary is a curated database of children’s e-books, available by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world. It’s a great resource for tech-savvy kids, and teaches them the joy of reading in a format they’ll love.
World Book Online
For Zoo and Aquarium information click here and scroll down
