Resources for Families During Library Closure
Most recent updates: 4/17/20
Library Building Closed
The Library is a public place where people of all ages gather, so we are concerned about the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as the flu and common cold, and are doing our part to help with this issue. Please read the COVID-19 Information webpost for more information.
Although our physical building is closed, don’t forget that you can use our online resources to access e-books, graphic novels, audiobooks, magazines, language learning, educational materials, and more.
There are many helpful online resources for you to use during this time. The list of resources keeps getting longer every day as companies and individuals respond to this crisis. We will update this list as we learn of more resources and apologize for those we missed.
Coronavirus Information for Children 
The following resources help explain COVID-19 to children:
- Answering Kids’ Questions about Coronavirus – Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, also available in Spanish
- Coronavirus – A Book for Children – New downloadable book from Candlewick Press
- The Coronavirus Outbreak: What Parents Should Know (UNICEF)
- “How to Fight the New Bad Guy in Town,” a PSA for kids – Author Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, gives kids (and grownups!) eight everyday tips for fighting germs and staying healthy on The Story Seeds Podcast
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus from PBS for Parents
- Illustrated free printables for handwashing to the tune of “Frere Jacques” by author/illustrator Lucy Kinsley or watch Wash Your Hands with Baby Shark
- Informational graphic novel zine – NPR “Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus”
YouTube directions on how to fold the zine - Psychology Today “Reassuring Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
- Simple picture book (available in multiple languages) – Manuela Molina’s COVIBOOK
- Facebook post from Author Laurie Halse Anderson Explaining Closures and Why They’re Important
- Weekly Webcast “Serial” with Author Rex Ogle – Free Lunch author shares new chapters weekly from Aidan Tyler, Quaran-TEEN, a book he is currently writing about a middle school student dealing with life during the time of Coronavirus
Author/Illustrator Resources and Other Online Read-Alouds
Children’s book authors & illustrators and celebrities are trying to help fill the void 
by creating read-aloud videos of picture books or chapters of books for older children.
- Authors Everywhere YouTube Channel
- Compilation of Author Read-Aloud Videos by Author Kate Messner – Books for all ages and many of the authors also include some kind of activity or creativity prompt
- Draw Every Day with author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- How to Toon YouTube Channel – Free cartooning classes with artist Joe Wos
- KidLitTV – Multiple videos with children’s authors or illustrators
- Kids Ask Authors Podcast – Weekly podcast with author/illustrator Grace Lin and a guest author answering questions from child readers
- Learning from Home with writer/illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi
- Lee and Low Authors Read Aloud on YouTube
- Library of Congress Engage! – Videos of author/illstrator Dav Pilkey reading or drawing will be released every Friday at 8 am on their website and social media; Site also includes educator support and author appearances from the National Book Festival
- List of Children’s Authors Doing Read-Alouds Compiled by WeAreTeachers – Read-Alouds are arranged by appropriate school level
- LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems – Children’s book author/illustrator and Kennedy Center Artist-in-Residence (at home) invites YOU into his studio every day for his Lunch Doodle
- Printable Coloring Pages from Every Child a Reader – Artwork provided by 23 children’s book illustrators
- Reading Starts Here – Video celebration of picture books from Candlewick Press
- Romper.com’s Operation Storytime Post – Compilation of multiple read-aloud videos
- SaveWithStories – Campaign by celebrities reading children’s books in the hope of raising money for organizations feeding children during school closures – Use #SaveWithStories on Instagram and Facebook.
- Social Media Hashtags to search for videos:
#operationstorytime
#kidlitquarantine
#kidlitgoesviral - Stimola LIVE – Live stream events for kids, tweens, and teens by professional authors and illustrators represented by Stimola Literary Studio
- Storyline Online – SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Most titles also include activity guides.
- Storytime from Space – Read-alouds by astronauts in space
- Storytime Online Resources – List compiled by the amazing ladies of Jbrary
Other Free Resources and Activities for Kids
Many companies and websites are offering other free activities & materials to help with 
education while schools are closed and to stave off boredom while staying home.
- AWE Learning Free Printables
- Barefoot Books At-Home Activity Kits – Themed kits include Connecting with Others, Managing Anxiety, Unique Indoor Games, and Mindfulness for All Ages
- Bloomsbury Reading and Teaching Guides
- Candlewick Press Resources – Activity kits, discussion guides, and more for Candlewick Press titles
- The Cat in the Hat – Games, videos, printables, and Spanish-language resources from PBS Kids
- Children’s Book World Resource Page – Local bookstore Children’s Book World has compiled resources for families that include online author events and virtual field trips
- Colorín Colorado – Library of video content focused on English language learners
- DC Kids Camp – Follow DC (Comics) Kids social media channels for kid-friendly, downloadable activity kits and graphic novel previews, plus interactive author/artist videos – DC Comics also offers free comics on their website (NOTE: Comics available are for all different ages, so caregivers want to choose the titles for their children)
- Demco Activity Calendars – Early literacy and children’s activity calendars for multiple months
- Dungeons & Dragons – Makers of the popular role-playing game are releasing free materials for all ages (including free adventures) every day on their website which will be available for a limited time – Other materials regularly available include basic rules, character sheets, and pre-generated character sheets
- Encantos – Bilingual learn-at-home resources designed by teachers and educators – Website also has downloadable sample daily learning schedules for children
- Harry Potter at Home – Wizarding fun includes magical craft videos, quizzes, puzzles, and more
- Have Fun Teaching Relief Packs – Worksheets on multiple subjects for students in Preschool-5th Grade
- Help at Home – Blog from publisher Lerner Books with lists of distance learning resources
- Home Safari from The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Weekdays at 3 pm on their Facebook page
- Hour of Code™ – Although we are no longer able to hold our event using this site on March 26, you can still access all of the fun Hour of Code™ tutorials from home, using themes ranging from Minecraft to Star Wars, Angry Birds to Frozen.
- Junior Library Guild – At-home reading resources, including a list of Author Visit Webcasts
- Junie B. Jones – Games, activities, and kids’ club
- Lakeshore Learning – Access to over 1,000 free learning from home resources
- List of Education Companies Temporarily Offering Free Subscriptions – Long list compiled by KidsActivitiesBlog.com
- Macmillan Resources – Author/illustrator videos, activity guides, virtual book club, and teacher’s guides for Macmillan-published books
- Magic Tree House Kids – Activities include Mission Game and Kids’ Adventure Club
- Merge EDU and Wakelet – Free 3D object and other educational activities
- Outschool.com – Free schooling resources for educators, families, and learners
- PJ Library – Site for families raising Jewish children offers activities for quarantined families, links to music & video streaming, and regular podcast episodes that give a twist to Jewish folktales
- Random House Resources for Remote Learning – Multiple activities and learning guides related to Random House books separated into different age groups
- ReadBrightly.com List of Educational Resources & Activities – Separated by appropriate age range
- Read and Learn with Simon Kids – Resources from publisher Simon & Schuster for parents navigating distance learning at home
- Remote Learning Resources from Capstone
- Road Trip from Home – List of links to many different Virtual Field Trips
- Scholastic Learn at Home – Projects, separated by grade group, from publisher Scholastic to help youth continue to read, think, and grow
- School Library Journal List of Free Tools for Online Learning
- Social media hashtag – #BringTheZooToYou
- Sphero – Complimentary access to a new Computer Science Foundations Course 1 theme of eight lessons every two weeks
- STEAM Challenges from Maker Maven
- UBTECH Education Resources for Home Learning – STEM activities for all learning levels
- Virtual Museum Tours – List compiled by Parents.com
- Virtual Tours Through National Parks – List compiled by Travel and Leisure
- Virtual Zoo School from Cape May County Park & Zoo
- Where’s Waldo? at Home – Videos and downloadable activities for Waldo fans
- Zoo School Live from Elmwood Park Zoo
E-Resource Databases just for kids!
Information on how to access other e-resources, including Hoopla (great for graphic novels!) and Overdrive/Libby can be found on our eReading webpage.
BookFLIX
Video storybooks paired with nonfiction e-books for ages 4-8.
BookFlix® is a digital literacy resource that pairs more than 120 animated stories from Weston Woods with a best-selling nonfiction eBook from Scholastic on a similar subject. The fiction and nonfiction pairings are designed to strengthen early literacy skills while exposing young learners to real world concepts.
TrueFLIX
The newest addition to the PowerLibrary!
Science and social studies content comes alive with dynamic videos, interactive ebooks, and engaging projects, ideas and activities!
TumbleBooks
An online collection of animated, talking picture books.
TumbleBookLibrary is a curated database of children’s e-books, including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, music, bilingual (Spanish and French) books, and memory and literacy games. Learn more and download the app.