Publishers Weekly Free Resources
Charlesbridge for Kids (and Parents!) At Home https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/remote-author-content\
Charlesbridge has launched two new sites to support remote learning and engagement for kids, parents, and educators. A Remote Author Page has author readings, book talks, lessons and activities while a new Activities and Downloadables Page has activity kits, educator guides, coloring sheets, and puzzles.
Goodnight with Dolly
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0MpwxxTbrBOz1g1X-BynUA
Beginning April 2 at 7 p.m. ET, country singer Dolly Parton will read children’s books for bedtime by way of the Imagination Library’s YouTube channel. The readings are part of a lead-up to the September release of The Library That Dolly Built, a documentary about the Library, a 25-year-old book program created by Parton, which has donated more than 135 million books since its inception. Among the books Parton will read from are Loren Long’s There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Red Pajama, and Parton’s own I Am a Rainbow.
Chronicle Kids COLLAGASAURUS
https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/how-to-make-a-collagasaurus.pdf
Inviting young readers into the Smithsonian’s online library, Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg have created a free brochure for download called “How to Make a COLLAGASAURUS!” Modeled after AstroNuts, the brochure guides children through the Smithsonian’s archive in search of material that helps them create their own collage.
Read. Dream. Share. Coloring Book
https://everychildareader.net/cbw/coloringpages-2020/
In honor of Children’s Book Week, the Children’s Book Council has made a 23-page coloring book available in individual pages and as a full download for free. Each page celebrates this year’s theme for Children’s Book Week, which is Read. Dream. Share. Drawings include works by Jessica Love (r.), Sarah Jung, Marcos Navarro, Katie O’Neill, Greg Pizzoli, and others.
Holiday House Resources for Distance Learning
https://holidayhouse.com/holiday-house-resources/
Holiday House’s newly launched resources page offers teaching and reading resources for teachers, parents, librarians and educators. The site includes more than 300 reading guides, activities, storytime kits, flashcards, and more.
Simon & Schuster Children’s Education and Library
http://simonandschusterpublishing.com/thebookpantry/index.html
Simon & Schuster is making resources available to educators, booksellers, and librarians via its online hub, The Book Pantry. Users can use the site to conduct livestreams and post readings of S&S children’s titles for students and customers. In addition, Simon & Schuster authors are taking to social media to share readings and drawing lessons. Debbie Ridpath Ohi is teaching art lessons while fellow author Aaron Reynolds has started “The Aaron Reynolds Stay-At-Home Show,” both on YouTube.
Free Titles from Penny Candy
https://www.pennycandybooks.com/homebound
Penny Candy Books is offering free PDFs of two titles to full and part-time educators who email the press. The publishers is also making guides and activities available for free download.
Draw Every Day with JJK
https://www.youtube.com/studiojjk
Hey, Kiddo author and illustrator Jarret J. Krosoczka has taken to YouTube to offer a daily drawing lesson for people of all ages. Krosoczka will record a video every weekday at 2 p.m. ET for the coming weeks.
Harper at Home
https://www.harpercollins.com/childrens/harper-at-home/
HarperCollins Children’s Books is using social media to share daily story times, learning materials, and activities with readers. Authors, illustrators, and Harper staff will participate, with social media channels available for different age groups. HarperKids is on Instagram for little readers, the YouTube channel Shelf Stuff is for middle grade readers, the Epic Reads Twitter feed is for teens, and HarperStacks—also on Twitter—has resources for educators, parents, and caregivers.
Ideal Exhibitions at Home
Picture book creator Hervé Tullet’s colorful and interactive Ideal Exhibitions have been shown worldwide in museums and galleries, but with those spaces closing around the world, Tullet is inviting teachers and children to participate in creating a version of his exhibitions from home and encouraging them to share. More information is available at lexpoideale.com/en/ or by e-mailing info@expoideale.com.
