In these times of remote learning, it comes as no surprise that books and literature have become digital too. Nothing will replace the personal interaction and intimacy of reading to a student (or in my opinion, the hard copy of a book), but the following websites and resources offer an excellent alternative. The best part is — they’re free!

StoryOnline

On this site, celebrities and authors read through various pieces of children’s literature. Who doesn’t want to hear a story read by Betty White? StoryOnline likes to highlight certain books each month, and they’re always adding new ones. The range of books goes from young children to young adult (YA) fiction.

The Library of Congress

 
Our country’s largest library features ten — yes, ten! — children’s reading rooms. They offer several classic children’s books online as well as some young adult reading. The Library of Congress also spices it up with some super fun interactive features. What’s more fun than going on a quest to save your favorite storybook characters? 

The International Children’s Library

The International Children’s Library (ICL) is a great resource that has quite the extensive collection, and their search is very user friendly. Everything is labeled with pictures and words so readers of all levels can navigate and search for their favorite book. Users are also able to search for a book by language, which is a very useful and unique feature. My favorite feature, though, is the “Exhibitions” tab. Here, the ICL features a small collection of books from around the world highlighting the same theme. What a wonderful way to celebrate diversity while connecting students to others around the world.  

YouTube

This one should come as no surprise. To find your favorite books read aloud, simply type the title or author into the search bar. If you are sending a link to students just make sure to watch the video beforehand. A safer option is YouTube Kids, but parents will have to create a profile for their child.  

Another great resource is your local library. Make sure to find them and check out their site! Many offer digital loans from their collection, as well as great interactive experiences.  

This is just a small sample of what is available, but I hope you’re able to find some, or all, of these resources helpful. The important thing is to keep students engaged, reading, and excited to learn. By doing this we will instill a love of learning — and reading. 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our schools and learning, Teq is making all of our PD courses on OTIS for educators FREE to help schools and districts implement distance learning and online professional development.