During our time at home tinkering, baking, gardening, cleaning, sewing and chilling, we have found comfort in listening to books. The Internet is overflowing with wonderful stories being told using a myriad of formats including video, podcasts, audio and even telephone. We looked for some of our favorite narrators, libraries and books including Levar Burton, LA Public Library and Harry Potter.
It took a little longer to write this post than I planned for because I repeatedly stopped to listen to a story, including my personal favorite, 'When I Grow Up' by Al Yankovic. We hope you find an enjoyable story to listen to from our compilation below, and if you have a favorite, please share with us in the comments.
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Visual Storytime and Read alouds for Children Of All Ages
Free for kids everywhere to instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across eight different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.
Australian public libraries are hosting virtual storytimes around the nation on various platforms.
Ms. Elaine, Children's Department Director of the Bethel Park Public Library reads stories for you on YouTube to share with your family at bedtime.
Brightly Storytime
Brightly Storytime brings you full-length picture books read out loud by our storyteller, Ms. Linda. Drop by YouTube for a new video every week! Brightly is a resource to help parents raise lifelong readers. Launched in partnership with Penguin Random House. 4 to 8 years old.
Levar Burton of Reading Rainbow
Levar reads stories on Twitter Live. You can find some of the archived stories on his Twitter feed. This is the schedule for future stories for Children, Young Adults and Adults.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Visual Storytime on YouTube with Children's librarians. Appropriate for babies to preschoolers.
Chinese Story Time
Kids from 3-12, come and join Jenny for Chinese story time! This class is for learners with no or minimal background in Mandarin Chinese. Limited number of participants. Sign up here.
Harry Potter At Home
Brought to you by Wizarding World. Daniel Radcliffe reads the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone, as part of Harry Potter At Home. Other narrators include Stephen Fry, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning, Claudia Kim, Noma Dumezweni, and Eddie Redmayne are amongst the cast of narrators, with more surprises and special appearances from across the Wizarding World and beyond to come. Start watching here.
The Indianapolis Public Library
100 video read alouds from old classics like Where the Wild Things Are to newer favorites like Little Jumbo. No library card required. Book Links.
100 more here and additional books will be added. Book Links.
Los Angeles Public Library
Storytimes and Read Alouds in English, Spanish and Japanese. Calendar of events is here.
New York Public Library
Weekday storytimes brought directly to you by children's librarians as they read beloved books, sing songs, and share early literacy tips. Available on Vimeo.
Save With Stories
Save the Children and No Kid Hungry are offering stories on Instagram and Facebook to provide fun and education to kids and parents stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Stories are read by Jennifer Garner, Amy Adams, Kate Winslet, Henry Winkler, and more.
Storyline Online
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Jaime Camil, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and dozens more. Checkout the books.
Story Time From Space
Children’s books are sent to the International Space Station and while in space, astronauts videotape themselves reading these books to the children of Earth. Available to watch on YouTube.
Toronto Public Library
Watch storytime readers on Ready for Reading YouTube channel to help get your child ready for reading.
We Are Teachers
Fifty children’s authors doing online read-alouds and activities for elementary and middle school.
Book Recommendations
If you are looking for book recommendations, checkout these posts that include popular STEAM books: