Bookshelf

Bookshelf

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. As a university professor, my world has literally been turned upside-down. However, I have witnessed so many colleagues from within my institution and those all over the country take on our current challenges with such grit and grace.

In college my favorite class was children’s literature. Now that I teach that course, I often tell people I’m living the dream. I love sharing my passion for literacy education and literature with the next generation of teachers. I’m the professor who gets strange looks as I take my cart, loaded with books, up the elevator to class each week.

During our classes we interact with books. We touch them, pass them around, add them to our Goodreads “want to read” list, and even spend time reading and comparing them in class. So, with moving to an online format, I have to be honest … my heart broke a little. I will miss seeing my students face-to-face and interacting with them. I will also miss the shared experience of exploring books together.

There’s another problem moving to online instruction, beyond our shared experiences. Access to children’s books. We have an incredible Educational Resource Center on our campus, which has thousands of children’s books. (Seriously, it’s literally a great recruiting tool.) My students are required to read a minimum of 75 children’s books throughout the semester – and access has never been an issue with our very own ERC.

But here we are. My students have been displaced, public libraries have closed, and very few have children’s books within reach. So, in addition to creating countless teaching videos, this past week I have attempted to pull together some of the best resources I could find. I sifted through many different options, so not everything I found made my list. My ultimate goal was to best help my students complete their required bookshelf assignment.

We all have different needs. Some of us find ourselves working overtime, attempting to complete our jobs with excellence. While others suddenly find themselves with too much time on their hands. Maybe you are a teacher attempting to find additional resources for your students or a parent who is now managing a home full of restless residents. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, we are all in this together … and I hope by sharing this it can be a blessing to someone.

Happy reading, friends!

Storyline Online

This award-winning website streams videos that feature celebrities reading children’s books aloud.

Cost: FREE

Vooks

A streaming library where children’s books are brought to life through animated illustrations and a narrated story.

Currently offering 365 days (1 year) of unlimited access to teachers and homeschool educators.

Cost: One month FREE trial; $4.99/month, $49.99 yearly

Indianapolis Public Library

The Indianapolis Public Library has gathered together over 100 recommended online read alouds.  Many link you directly to other sites, such Storyline Online or Youtube channels.  They’ve just done the work of collecting some great titles together in a single location.

Cost: FREE

Epic!

Epic! provides you access to thousands of digital titles, and has slick categories by age groups, award winners, genre, etc. 

Epic! is currently FREE for all elementary school teachers and librarians.

Cost: Free 30 day trial; $7.99/ month after trial

KidLit TV 

This website offers wonderful resources for children’s literature, including author and illustrator videos.  The Read Out Loud videos feature authors reading aloud their own stories.  

Cost: FREE

Just Books Read Aloud

This resource has links to a large variety of read aloud books.  You can search this site by author, narrator, reading level, and more.

Cost: FREE

Storytime with Ryan & Craig

Ryan and Craig are comedians who have a YouTube channel. They read books aloud.  It’s that simple. I find it both educational and entertaining.

Cost:  FREE

StoryNory

This resource is a great find if you are looking for classic books and traditional literature, including myths, legends, and fairy tales.  The website also includes some original stories.

Cost: FREE

Libby by Overdrive

Libby is an app that grants access to thousands of eBooks and audiobooks through your public library.  If you have an active library card it will be easy to sign up and start listening (or reading).  Many public libraries are extending a digital access library card while libraries are closed.  The good news is this means that if you do not have a current library card, you will be able to sign up for one online … and can gain access to thousands of amazing digital resources!

Cost: FREE

Audible

Audible is a great way to listen to audiobooks.  You can sign up for a 30 day trial, which earns you access to essentially one chapter book – so choose wisely.  After the 30-day trial students are eligible for a reduced membership.

Cost:  30 day trial; $9.95/month for students after trial (regularly $14.95/month); pay for additional books

Audible Stories (NEW from Audible)

Audible just released this site with FREE audiobooks and stories.  Although not all of the stories are from published books, you will certainly find many options that are literally the audio version of a chapter book.  Many of the books are classics no longer under copyright law, similar to what you may find on StoryNory. So if you are looking for new releases you may need to rely on Libby and your local library, or an actual Audible subscription. However, they have made some of their original Audible books and stories available here as well.

Cost:  FREE

Bookshelf

Curious minds want to know!  What’s all the fuss about these germs we can’t even see?  Here are just a couple of books to help bring some factual information (and a little humor too) to the conversation about what’s at the root of a contagious virus:  microbes.

The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes by Steve Mould

This book includes tons of fun facts along with real-life photos and funny illustrations, which will provide hours of informative reading enjoyment. Want to know about microbes? Check. Cells and bacteria? Check. Check.  What is a virus? Check.  How to fight a virus? Check.  Fungi, algae, and so much more?  Absolutely!  With a table of contents, glossary, and full index at the back, this book may be a dream come true for your budding future microbiologist!  (Ages 7-10)

Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost

Who would’ve thought that a book full of germs could be so fun?  This interactive book combines real microscope photos with cartoon illustrations to explain how microbes are found everywhere.  Get an up-close look at some of the places microbes live, as you move “Min the microbe” from one location to the next. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the wit that will engage kids of all ages, including my favorite little bit of humor (that I actually missed the first time I read the book).  Much like Min, it’s so small on the back cover that you might miss it too.  (Ages 4-8)

If you really must lick this book, please do so here

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

Spring is just around the corner and there are little glimmers of new life in our neck of the woods.  I have always loved spring!  It might be due to the fact that many moons ago I was born on the first day of spring.  So when I was younger, spring meant a birthday … but now my anticipation is more about nature in full bloom and warmer days.

As you anticipate the arrival of spring, I’ve pulled together five recommendations to help you get excited about warmer weather and longer days. This short list also includes a little something for ages 0 to 8.

Spring is Here by Taro Gomi

This book includes simple text and illustrations that make this the perfect choice for reading aloud to the very young, especially the board book version.  With no more than four words on each two-page spread, this delightful book starts in spring, goes through the four seasons, and ends back in spring. Spring is Here is also a great choice for an emergent or new reader, who is ready to explore simple text on his or her own. Although this book was published in 1989, as a personal favorite, I just had to include it in my short list of spring must-reads.

The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen

The illustrations for The Little Rabbit were the first thing that stood out to me about this book!  Killen uses muted tones and limited colors, with splashes of golden petals throughout this delightful story.  There are also little peek-a-boo cutouts on some pages that add a fun element.  Spring has arrived, so Ready for Ollie and her bunny go outside on a magical adventure that includes some impossible twists and turns that leave the imagination soaring.

The Song of Spring by Hendrik Jonas

When spring arrives, all the birds sing their special songs to attract their friends.  But little bird has a problem.  He can’t remember his song. Each time he attempts a sound, he makes the noise of another animal … which, of course, attracts other animals.  This fun storyline will be a delight to preschoolers.  Originally, written and published in German, this book has been translated into English.  As a result, be sure to look for the interesting response from cow (I love books that include these little teachable moments and expand our world ever so slightly). I particularly enjoyed the use of mixed-media art in the illustrations and found them to be engaging and fun!

Spectacular Spring: All Kinds of Spring Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone

Bright and colorful, this book is truly full of spring fun facts!  The amount of text on each page is not overwhelming, which also makes this a potential read-aloud to younger kids. Topics include everything from what you will find in nature to how umbrellas work.  In fact, there are even craft ideas with instructions at the end.  For those who want to explore beyond spring, Goldstone now has a book about summer, autumn, and winter too!

 TheWorld is Awake: A Celebration of Everyday Blessings written by Linsey Davis with Joseph Bottum and illustrated by Lucy Fleming

I have to admit, this is not a book about spring … but this is exactly how I feel when the world starts waking up after a long winter’s sleep.  The book begins “This is the day the Lord has made,” then moves into a lyrical, rhyming text that takes note of the simple, everyday blessings in the world around us.  I love spring and the new life, but I also love summer … and this book reminds me not only of the blessings of today, but of the simple blessings to come!

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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