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

Grit & Grace

This past week we had two of our g-littles come stay with us for a couple of days. Their parents were scheduled to go to a conference in California, but due to the current concerns over the spread of COVID-19 their conference was cancelled. The g-littles had been so looking forward to coming for a visit that we decided to keep the plans as is, and they arrived with big grins on their faces Sunday afternoon. 

We originally planned to take the g-littles to an indoor play place and a children’s museum while they were with us, but determined it was not wise to do so, so we improvised by breaking out the Wii and making some crafts. We also let them pick out a movie to watch each day. The five year old didn’t care what we watched, but the four year old chose Frozen 2, everyday! So, watch Frozen 2 is what we did. Each time we watched, it was as if we were viewing it for the first time, except for the fact that we belted out the songs with great enthusiasm. 

One of the big moments of the movie is when Elsa sings, Into the Unknown. She is feeling called to go out on an adventure into unknown territory and has to make a decision to push down fear. Right now, it feels as if we are all facing unknown territory. It would be very easy to let fear take control. Schools closing. Businesses shutting their doors. Travel advisories. Being asked to social distance, when you may desire to bring people close. Places of worship meeting remotely. The news is filled with stories of loss and heartache on a global level. Who would have thought a couple of weeks ago people would be fighting over toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Yes, there are a lot of unknowns. Uncertainties. 

During times of uncertainty we can find solace, reassurance, in the KNOWN. The constant. We can squash fear by focusing on truth. Paul tells us in, Romans 8:38-39:

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ESV

We can be assured that his love is constant. There is nothing. Nothing. That can separate us from his love. I can rest in that. I can abide in that truth. 

There is an old hymn whose words talk about this constant, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine. The song was penned by a woman named Fanny Crosby. As a young child she had an illness that rendered her blind, yet her focus was not on her circumstances, but on the love that enveloped her and made her whole on the inside. The lyrics of the last verse say,

“Perfect submission, ALL is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

There is rest in letting go, and letting God be God. Being at peace in the constant of his love. 

During this time when it would be easy to get our eyes on our circumstances, let’s place our focus on things above. Let’s put our faith in the constant love of God. In turn, let’s find ways to share the reason for our faith, our peace, with others. We have an amazing opportunity to not act out of fear, but love! 

For your listening enjoyment.

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!)

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