Resources For Home Access During Our Closing
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Spring 2020
Virtual Library Programs Across MAIN!
Many libraries have moved their rgular programming online in recent weeks. Access a list of libraries' video vaults, mostly stored on YouTube (no library is necessary for access) by clicking here. Enjoy!
YouTube Channel Now Public!
Our youth services YouTube channel is now public! Youth newsletters will still be mailed out twice a week and will continue to include recommended digital and literary resources and storytime and craft videos from Ms. Kate. But if you are keen to just get those storytime and craft videos, look no further: click and subscribe here!
Resources from our May 4 Newsletter
Barnes and Noble National Children's Short Story Contest
Aspiring young writers, ages 6-12, are encouraged to submit written or graphic short stories to be among fifteen stories selected for inclusion in an anthology to be published by the end of the year! Find more details and guidelines for submissions here.
Booklist's Podcast Recommendations
Check out this list of recommended podcasts for kids ranging from bedtime stories to science fiction episodes and many more!
Frog and Toad Turn Fifty!
Find an event kit and books here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frog and Toad!
Great Websites for Kids!
In junction with the Association of Library Services to Children comes this comprehensive resource - indeed perhaps one of the more comprehensive resources - for literary websites for kids here.
hOle Lotta Time Exhibit Design Challenge
Rabbit hOle, Kansas City's Explor-a-Storium Museum, is challenging children ages 5-12 to construct models that show how they would transform their favorite book or story into an interactive 3-D exhibit. All materials for models should be already on-hand at home or be findable in nature. Entries can be photographed or videoed and will be accepted until May 15th. Find more details and all the submission guidelines here.
Ireland's Museum of Childhood's Project 2020/TOGETHER
This project hopes to provide young people with a platform to express themselves creatively to make sense of the current times while simultaneously providing a sense of community and togetherness. Find more details, themes, and guidelines on how to submit entries here.
Kidcasts from School Library Journal
This new podcast series kicks off here with a list of recommended podcasts that can help kids ages 5-12 understand the current pandemic.
Morris County COVID-19 History Project
This project, launched by the Morris Museum, hopes to engage residents of all ages in telling their stories about this time and as it is happening on a very local level. Details on how to share your story can be found here.
NJ Parent Link
Access the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub from State of New Jersey Early Childhood, Parenting and Professional Resource Center here.
#OperationReadAloud
Find all variety of readalouds for all ages from celebrities, authors, and more here!
Our Corona Diary
This project "hopes to document [this moment] through the eyes of young diarists and inspire a creative response to the crisis... Eventually, [the goal will be to] publish a curated collection of the diaries in an anthology, with a listing of all the names of the children who contributed to the project." Join the creative effort here today!
Related reading: School Library Journal's On Telling the Story and Keeping the Record
Owl Kid's Cooking Tips!
Print the sheet here and hang it in your kitchen to help your kids start learning basic cooking skills.
Sketch Comedy: Laughs and Live Drawing with Narwhal and Jelly
Join this webcast from Junior Library Guild when Narwhal and Jelly author Ben Clanton shares the story behind the books, reads from the latest installment in the series, and provides a live sketch session this Thursday, May 7th at 3 pm!
Resources from our April 20 Newsletter
Barefoot Books Facebook Page
Check out this publisher's page for a range of resources and activities, including a new live yoga series, Yoga Pretzel Fridays, airing every Friday at 3 pm EST!
Free Coronavirus eBook for Kids
Download this free and accessible book for young readers from Candlewick Press. You can read more about picture books being made freely accessible here.
Gratitude Practice Worksheet!
Use this worksheet to help everyone at home start practicing daily gratefulness - a sentiment that can help to lift everyone's spirits at this challenging time.
How To Be a Pirate Reading!
Join author Isaac Fitzgerald as he reads his first (and currently only) children's book aloud and discover How to Be a Pirate! And enjoy these coloring pages from the book!
Library Crowdsourcing Projects!
Check out this recommended list of crowdsourcing projects from Library Journal! Projects range from transcribing items from the Library of Congress' "Letters to Lincoln" collection to recording oneself reading books to create audiobooks to Citizen Science Projects that allow both budding scientists and passionate amateurs tap into stargazing and/or wildlife interests at no charge.
Penguin Random House Weekly Author Events
Penguin Random House is "compiling [their] virtual book events, author Q&A’s and more that are happening each week (EST), and [updating] this page daily. Even if you miss an event streaming live, please check back...and watch the recordings."
Reading Rainbow Revival!
Tune in to LeVar Burton's Twitter to hear him conduct storytimes like he did back in the day on Reading Rainbow!
Rube Goldberg Bar of Soap Video Challenge!
Build a Rube Goldberg Machine with 10-20 steps that results in a bar of soap dropping into someone's hands! This fun, at-home STEM/STEAM challenge for all ages is open until May 31st. Read more about Rube Goldberg here and hear his granddaughter Jennifer George pitch this activity in the video here.
Scribd Books for Kids, Teens, and More!
Try a free 30 day trial!
Storybook for Children on COVID-19 from IASC
"This book [My Hero Is You] was a project developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings [and] was supported by global, regional and country based experts from Member Agencies...in addition to parents, caregivers, teachers and children in 104 countries." Ideal for ages 6-11.
Water Protector Pledge
Earth Day is this Wednesday, April 22nd! So take the water protector pledge and check out the earth-friendly activities based on the book so you too can learn how to help protect the water and our enviroment!
Webcomics for Tweens and Teens
School Library Journal has compiled this list of recommended webcomics to keep older readers engaged.
Writing Tips for Tweens!
Get advice and writing tips from best-selling and award-winning middle grade authors, also from Penguin Random House.
Resources from our April 13 Newsletter
Authors Everywhere!
"...a Youtube Channel created and run by middle grade author Susan Tan, and made possible by an amazing community of children's book writers and illustrators [who] wanted to do something to offer relief for parents and kids during these long days at home. On this channel, you'll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more [with the] hope that [it] can offer you some fun, some distraction, and a creative outlet for any feelings that might come up during this time."
Blue Dot Kids Press and Earth Day
"Blue Dot Kids Press will PLANT A TREE—via [their] partnership with One Tree Planted—for each child who participates in [their] Earth Day activity and emails in a picture of [a] coloring sheet." So print the sheets from this page and get more details on how to submit them here!
Chicago Review Press
Activity guides to support children's at-home learning, books, and author-led lessons by request can be found here.
Children’s Book Insider & Writing Blueprints
These groups are launching the Young Writer's Blueprint, a step-by-step writing course for young writers, primarily ages 6-10. This free guide includes writing prompts, downloadable worksheets, and more to help young writers start gathering ideas, creating characters, editing, and writing short stories, longer pieces and poetry!
DC Kids Camp
Using the DC Kids Twitter and Instagram, you can download kid-friendly, superhero-themed activities and previews of past and upcoming DC middle grade graphic novels. "Kids will learn how to draw their favorite DC Super Heroes, gain inspiration and skills to make their own comics, and unlock their creativity with fun, off-the-wall how-to videos..."
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Access "Goodnight with Dolly" bedtime readings from Dolly Parton herself!
Harry Potter at Home
This is the resource for magical craft videos, quizzes, puzzles, and more!
Mac Barnett's Instagram
Find readings, recordings, and more from a favorite author here!
NubeOcho Has Singalongs and Activities in Spanish
Fun from Illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Enjoy readalouds, drawing demos, and more!
Stay at Home Story Time with Oliver Jeffers
Jeffers is recording daily readings of his own books!
Van Meter Library Voice Blog
Check out this recent post from the Van Meter Library Voice and dig into the recycled toilet paper roll garden idea and the related book!
Resources from our April 6 Newsletter
My First Book Club
Thanks to Junior Library Guild and Candlewick Press, you can take part on Thursday, April 9th at 3 pm in this "mini, online book club bash as Bunnicula author James Howe reads aloud from his chapter-book Houndsley & Catina and Kate Messner reads aloud from Fergus & Zeke. Tune in for laughs and learning with these endearing early elementary selections! Target grades are K-3 but all are welcome."
Infobase
Infobase has made the majority of their resources freely accessible to all of the MAIN service area until June 30th.
Lakeshore Learning's Learning at Home videos are now available (in both English and Spanish)
Draw and submit your original comic creations to MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell until May 15th! Use the link above to find templates and details about how Patrick could choose your comic strip submission for wider publication in newspapers around the world later this year!
Read about it here and check your local channel here.
Read about this adorable and uplifting movement here. Then check out the updates on the Facebook page here and go on your own teddy bear hunt today!
Resources from our March 30 Newsletter
Check out more publisher resources!
Free eBooks from Abdo!
Thru MidAmerica books, you can now access three different e-book platforms from Abdo:
- Abdo Elementary Digital Bookshelf
- AbdoSecondary Digital Bookshelf
- Abdo Zoom for early non-fiction readers.
Capstone's PebbleGo Parent Resources
DK Stay Home Hub
Learning for kids and activities for adults to enrich everyone's time at home
HarperCollinsPublishers at Home Resources
HarperKids, Shelf Stuff, Epic Reads, Harper Stacks, Remember Reading, I Can Read! Book Club
Holiday House remote learning resources
Lerner Book's Help at Home
Read Together, Be Together
Penguin Random House provides reading tips, book lists, various virtual storytimes, and more via this literacy movement.
Scholastic's Digital Programs are available for free now until April 20, 2020:
- BookFlix (PreK-3)
- BooKFlix provides a fun way for early readers to engage with delightful stories and interesting nonfiction ebooks.
- Username: Learning20
- Password: Clifford
- Watch & Learn Library (Prek – 3)
- Watch & Learn Library builds learning excitement with real-world videos in English and Spanish.
- Username: Learning20
- Password: Clifford
- TrueFlix (Grades 3+)
- TrueFlix helps students build science and social studies knowledge in an engaging way.
- Username: Learning20
- Password: Clifford
- ScienceFlix (Grades 5+)
- ScienceFlix gets students excited about all sciences with exciting articles, videos, and projects.
- Username: Learning20
- Password: Clifford
Tundra Books Virtual Story Times & Singalongs
Get more books & storytimes in unique ways!
House of Anasi's free book for a friend!
KidLitTV
Book talk shows, book trailers, video storytimes, drawing tutorials with illustrators, author interviews, and more!
Readalouds on Facebook from author Peter Reynolds!
Dig into more free activities!
Coloring Pages from Every Child a Reader
Got a printer at home? Print and enjoy these unique and beautiful coloring pages in line with this year's Children's Book Week theme,Read. Dream. Share. Children's Book Week is scheduled for May 4-10 this year.
Lakeshore Learning resources
You can now access all sorts of free activities, lesson plans, printable worksheets, craft ideas, and more.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators online directory
An information hub of free digital resources from published members including book readings, writing demos and art lessons, bilingual resources, podcasts, teaching guides, and more! #SCBWIConnects
Resources from our March 23 Newsletter
Get More Books
12-Story Library eBook Library
Nonfiction eBooks are available now thru May 31st, 2020.
Junior Library Guild's Digital Resources
Stories from Amazon’s Audible Service
Hear More Authors & Readings
Use this handy tool from TheLivBits.
Check out Jennifer Garner's #savewithstories on Instagram!
Check out Pete the Cat on Instagram!
Miss Jolie has videos!
Storyline Online
Brightly Storytimes
Stay Engaged
LitWorld's Global Heart Map Project
An organization close to my heart ;-) is asking kids (and grown-ups!) around the world to create their own Heart Maps which can help us stay connected with each other through stories and shared feelings when we need it most. Please click the above link for more details and give it a whirl!
More Indoor Activity Ideas
Little Rockers Music Classes!
Help Others
Our animal friends at Rizzo’s Wildlife World need our help!
Learn & See Something New
Check out the Cincinnati Zoo’s Home Safari videos on Facebook!
Resources from our March 18 Newsletter
A handful of additional resources
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- Virtual Museum Tours
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!
- Stimola Literary Studio, representing kid lit and YA authors and illustrators, is hosting livestreamed readalouds, craft activities, and drawing demonstrations between 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST..."
- Steve Spangler Science
- Storytime from Space
- National Geographic Kids
Author Websites
Authors on Facebook(logon to your own account to see their posts)
- Dan Gutman
- My Weird School read-aloud recordings
- Ben Clanton
- Narwhal & Jelly how-to-draw recordings
Authors on YouTube
Craft Ideas
Tumblebooks!
As always, TumbleBooks, the online collection of animated picture books that teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love, is available to you via the linked button below.
And now, as of Monday, March 16 thru August 31, 2020, new TumbleBooks services are accessible to you without a library card from home! Use the buttons below to access these new resources with just one click whenever, how often, and on any device you want. Titles will be available instantly.
TumbleMath
Math ebooks for grades K-6
TeenBookCloud
Ebooks for grades 7-12
AudioBookCloud
Audiobooks for all ages
Older Resources
A handful of years ago we put together a number of online resources that we believe will be helpful to parents. Please click on the links below to access the links related to each topic.
Updated May 4, 2020
