JCPL’s Mother Goose and Preschool Storytimes start back up on September 13 after a brief hiatus. Until then, you might try a virtual storytime for children by visiting the TumbleBook Library, a new online service offered by JCPL, or by visiting another free online story site.
TumbleBook Library
TumbleBook Library is an online collection of animated, talking picture books that teach kids the joy of reading. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music, and narration to existing picture books. You can read or listen to the electronic versions of the books.
You can access the TumbleBook Library on the computers in the Children’s Library or on the Internet via JCPL’s website. Select the “TumbleBooks” tab under the “Children’s Library” tab at www.jesspublib.org. Follow the directions and link provided.
More Story Sites
Here are some links to other story sites that you can access for free through the Internet:
http://storynory.com/ Storynory provides free downloadable audio stories for kids. The site publishes a new audio story each week, all read by Natasha Gostwick. Storynory’s free iTunes feed means you can play the stories on your iPod. Great for car trips!
http://www.storyplace.org/ From the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, StoryPlace is an interactive digital library for kids. Each online story in the preschool library includes an online activity, a take home activity, a reading list, and a parent’s activity. The online stories for elementary students include print-out activities and reading lists. Available in both English and Spanish.
http://www.magickeys.com/books/ Children’s Storybooks Online currently features 26 original stories with illustrations and text. Some of the stories include audio and animation. Stories are available for children of all ages, including young adults.
http://www.storylineonline.net/ The Screen Actors Guild Foundation sponsors this site, which features videos of SAG members reading children’s books. Activity ideas accompany each book.