Town To-Go: Library To-Go

Graphic novelist George O'Connor gives short lectures about an Olympian goddess or god, and talks about how they might relate to the world today. Each installment features live drawing, and he share artistic tips for anyone who wants to draw along at home. Follow along live on his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thegeorgeoconnor/
or catch up on episodes on his YouTube channel.

The Kennedy Center hosts author and illustrator Mo Willems. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. New episodes weekdays at 1pm.

Author Tracey Baptiste discusses creatures from different mythologies and encourages kids to find and compare different creatures. Includes suggested reading.

Veera Hiranandani, author of the Newbery Honor winning book, The Night Diary, The Whole Story of Half a Girl, and The Phoebe G. Green series offers a diary writing prompt to help you get to know your characters and create an inspired story.

Join award winning picture book author Peter Reynolds for a daily read aloud. Fridays at 11am.

Free art, cartooning, and writing lessons every weekday at 2pm—and archived for later viewing from NY Times-bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

Daily storytime with award-winning picture book author Oliver Jeffers. 1pm on his Instagram live.

Award winning author Mac Barnett reads his hilarious chapter book Mac Undercover. One chapter a day weekdays at 2pm. Past chapters archived on his Instagram.

Join author and illustrator Grace Lin as she demonstrates how to draw dragons.

A short interview with Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal, the team behind the Sibert Award winning picture book Fry Bread.

Join super duper bestselling author Dav Pilkey on Fridays for a new video visit with drawing and activities.

Harry Potter related activities, games, and a link to a free audiobook of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Updated regularly.

Tips for making your own comics and graphic novels from Newbery Award winner Victoria Jamieson.

A free extension of the Hamilton Education Program. Through EduHam, students study primary source documents from the Founding Era, learn how Lin-Manuel Miranda used such documents to create the musical Hamilton, and finally create their own original performance pieces based on the same material.

TL;DR: Want a quick recommendation? Your Town Librarians highlight one resource per division. Updated weekly!

LS and US reading lists by grade from your Town librarians and reading specialists. Organized by grade level and genre.

Databases, encyclopedias, and recommended digital resources for research and fun from the Town Library.

Audible has unlocked many children's audiobooks for free access. Books are organized by age.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.

Features over 4000 digital children's books in more than 50 languages. Note that these are e-books, not audiobooks.

Virtual library of free read alouds, drawing, and writing activities.

Don't forget about your local public library! Most public libraries have a wide array of eBooks and audiobooks available with your library card. Note that many libraries are limiting checkouts due to overwhelming demand (NYPL's limit is currently 3 checkouts). No library card? If you are in NY State, follow the link to SimplyE and sign up online for access to thousands of eBooks and audiobooks. You must be in NY State to use SimplyE.

LeVar Burton reads books for all ages.
Mondays for Children 12pm
Wednesdays for YA 6pm
Fridays for Adults 9pm

A project of the Global Space Education Foundation. While in space, astronauts on the International Space Station are videotaping themselves reading books and completing simple science concept experiments for children.

Open Library is the book platform of the Internet Archive, a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more. Browse the K-12 Student Library, or search for a specific title. You must sign up for an account, which is free.

Bird struggles with the many feelings that come with being quarantined, but ultimately learns that it is okay to experience a wide range of emotions. And that taking one day at a time can be helpful and comforting. Written by an early childhood educator. (K-1st)

In this NYC Emergency Management video, superhero Ready Girl talks reassuringly to children about how they can stay home and stay safe. (Appropriate for Gr 1+)

Written by medical professionals in conjunction with the WHO and UN. Sara sometimes feels scared and helpless, and misses friends and school. As she drifts off to sleep, a friendly dragon appears. They fly all over the world together on a shared mission: teaching children how to keep themselves and their families safe from the coronavirus. (Recommended for ages 6-11)

An excellent resource for young students by Songju Ma Daemicke, a children's book author with a focus on STEM resources.

Author Brian Biggs reads two of his Everything Goes board books aloud. Perfect for transportation fans. N3 - K.

From author Brandon Reese. It's bedtime for Dada's little cave baby. But Baba wants a bedtime story, and not just from any book. Baba wants just the right book--and the right book means the biggest book! Poor Dada! The delaying tactics of his Stone Age darling may not speed up bedtime ... but they just might change the course of human history. N3 - K

Debbie Ridpath Ohi reads the picture book Where Are My Books? Spencer loves books and reads one every night, sometimes aloud, then puts the book back in its place, but one morning his favorite book is missing, and the next day another, each replaced by a different object. N3 - Gr 1.

Aisha Saeed reads her rollicking picture book. Bilal and his father invite his friends to help make his favorite dish, daal, then all must wait patiently for it to be done. Includes activity at the end of the read aloud. N3- Gr 1.

Author Laurel Snyder shares her thoughts on making stories, plus a read aloud of Charlie & Mouse Outdoors.
Charlie and Mouse and their parents are going on a camping trip, and there will be hiking, storytelling, marshmallows, and campfires, and the joy that comes from sharing it all. K- Gr 2.

From author Deborah Underwood. Based on the "Cinderella" fairy tale. In this outer space adaptation of the fairy tale, Cinderella dreams of becoming a spaceship mechanic. Includes writing prompts to create your own fractured fairy tale. K - Gr 2.

Author Kate Messner reads the picture book biography The Brilliant Deep, the story of Ken Nedimyer, founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation. Perfect for fans of nature, sea creatures, and the environment. Gr 1-4.

Debbi Michiko Florence reads an excerpt of Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper. Includes writing prompts. Jasmine makes a wish for a pet flamingo on the special daruma doll her grandmother sent from Japan, then sets out to prove herself responsible enough for a pet. Gr. 1-3. Fun fact: this is one of Ms. Grenke's favorite series!

Kate Messner reads an excerpt of Rescue on the Oregon Trail. Ranger, a golden retriever, could have been a great search-and-rescue dog except for the squirrels, but one day he unearths a mysterious box and finds himself transported back to the year 1850, where his faithful service is really needed by a family traveling west along the Oregon Trail. Gr 3 - 5

Author Leah Henderson shares a first chapter read aloud The Magic in Changing Your Stars. Gr 4-6

Author Melanie Hope Greenberg reads her picture book about Coney Island's fameous annual Mermaid Parade.