Fun Resources
Explore Authors, Books, Webcams, and more!
- Reading or Drawing with Authors and Illustrators
- Author Websites with Activities
- Reading Resources: eBooks, Read Alouds, and more
- Websites and Virtual Tours
Reading or Drawing with Authors and Illustrators
Mo Willems draws, doodles and explores new ways of writing. There are many episodes to watch and draw along with!
Mac Barnett author of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole has book readings posted on his Instagram page.
Jarrett Krosoczka has drawing lesson videos posted on his YouTube channel.
Ben Clanton author of the Narwhal and Jelly series posts “Squiggles and Scribbles” videos on his Facebook page.
Debbie Ridpath Ohi author and Illustrator of I’m Bored has drawing videos on her YouTube channel. There are also links to cover-to-cover picture book read-alouds.
​Daniel Miyares author and illustrator Surf’s Up and Float will take your drawings to the next level on his YouTube channel.
Tony DiTerlizzi is has Drawn to Fantasy videos which shows the entire drawing process from sketch to Photoshop finishing. There are also videos of him reading some of his books such as Wondla,
Jess Keating is an author and illustrator of Pink is for Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals (she is also a zoologist) has a YouTube channel filled with fun writing ideas.
Kate Messner author of The Ranger in Time series shares read aloud from herself and other authors, often including short lessons.
Sophie Blackall author of the Ivy and Bean series reads from her books and other books aloud on YouTube.
Ame Dyckman author of Misunderstood Shark and Wolfie will read her book You Don’t Want A Unicorn on YouTube.
Author Websites with Activities
These websites include printable activities, songs, online games, and often read alouds from your child's favorite authors!
Erin Hunter (Warriors)
Max Brallier (Last Kids on Earth)
Scholastic (includes Dogman, 39 Clues, Bad Guys, I Survived, Wings of Fire, Goosebumps, and Whatever After)
Stephan Pastis (Timmy Failure)
Reading Resources: eBooks, Read Alouds, and more
In addition, here are more FREE online read alouds:
Brightly Storytime Fun read alouds, categorized by age or interests.
Carmen Deedy reads her new book Rita and Ralphs Rotten Day.
Emily Arrow (Singer who writes songs based on books) - Daily live streams at 1 PM.
Harper Kids Storytime Read Aloud HarperKids publishing hosts a collection of stories, including Pete the Cat!
Indianapolis Public Library A collection of over 100 online read alouds.
Jan Brett reads Cozy.
KidLit.tv Full read alouds AND author interviews, book trailers, Ready, Set, Draw, Nonfiction Kid Lit Minutes, KidLit MTV (books with music), and more!
Mrs. P's Magic Library Actress Kathy Kinney has a collection of read alouds and activities.
Operation Story Time Go to Facebook and type in #OperationStorytime to see books being read aloud. They are constantly adding new material, so check back often.
Penguin Kids is conducting a virtual story hour where they will be reading a picture book–great for toddlers and pre-schoolers– every day at 11:00 AM.
Save With Stories features actors (and celebrity friends) sharing their favorite books and stories on Instagram and Facebook
Storyline Online A collection of picture books read aloud by famous actors and actresses.
Storytime from Space Astronauts reading science-themed books from the International Space Station.
The Adventures of Mirabelle Storytime Fridays at noon on Facebook and Instagram
Websites and Virtual Tours
Want to explore the world and learn new things from the comfort of your home? Check out these awesome sites:
Writing, Drawing, Dancing, and Instruments
Arts & Crafts Tutorials LIVE from McHarper Manor Live daily tutorials daily, M-F, at 1 p.m. ET. Includes a shopping list of supplies with Amazon links.
Music Lessons Online Learn piano, guitar, or drums online!
Virtual Tours
12 Famous Museum Virtual Tours Check out the Van Gogh Museum or the National Gallery of Art!
Animal Cameras: Live Cams at the San Diego Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams, Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta, 6 Animal Cams at Houston Zoo, Georgia Aquarium has Jellyfish, Beluga Whales, and The Pacific Indo Barrier Reef
Boston Children’s Museum Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps! This virtual tour allows kids to explore 3 floors of fun.
Cincinnati Zoo through Facebook Live Sessions highlight an animal or event. Some sessions feature Fiona the Hippo!
Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips - A few of the field trip topics include Polar Bears and the Tundra, Social Emotional Skills, STEM, manufacturing
The Great Wall of China This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.
MARS!!! Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover. They are updating from WEBVR to WEBXR now, but 360 Mode offers a digital view!
National Parks Virtual Tours Tour 33 different National Parks virtually!
San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games.
Virtual Farm Tour This Canadian site FarmFood 360 offers 11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs.
U.S. National Parks via 360-degree virtual tours with Google https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/25/google-now-lets-you-explore-u-s-national-parks-via-360-degree-virtual-tours/
U.S. Space and Rocket Museum in Huntsville, AL See the Saturn 5 Rocket on YouTube and more on this tour thanks to a real father/son outing.