Digital Storybook Websites--Nosy crow

Nosy Crow

NosyCrow

Nosy Crow was started in January 11 and publishes children's books and apps.  Nosy Crow has won the Independent Publishers Guild Children's Publisher of the Year award.  They serve the audience of young children to young adult, featuring fiction and nonfiction books.  There is a cost for this site, however it will let you search and read a small summary of the text.  It looks as though you order through amazon.com.

Of all the websites I searched through, this one was the most user friendly.  I was impressed that you could download a QR code to hear the stories read aloud.  A wifi signal is needed for this option, however I really thought this was a great way to have text on your mobile device.  I also liked that the website has a blog that helps users keep up with what's new and what's on the website. 

Digital Storybook Websites---TumbleBook Library

Tumblebook Library

Click here for Tumblebooks!

Tumblebook library is a digital storybook website with a lot of popular titles.  The picture books have interactive talking and the books are read aloud to the reader.  There is also the option to read the book yourself, as well as animation, sound, and music.  This website does have a cost, however a school subscription gains access to common core state standards and activities.  There are 540 titles to date and they are constantly updating the titles.  The website also has categories, such as picture books, chapter books, award winners, etc.

I was impressed with the titles available on this website.  Being that a subscription costs the user, I am guessing that is the reason why. 

Digital Storybook Websites--Children's Library

International Children's  Digital Library

Click here to view website.


Children's Library is an international digital library for children.  It has many titles, as well as titles in all different types of languages.  It is separated by age, topic, language, size of the book, chapter books, picture books, and award winners. 

I found this website to be really unique.  I liked the fact that it had books in all languages.  It was very user friendly and easy to search.  This would be a great website for your students to explore and find topics and books in which they are interested. 

Seed Folks

Seed Folks

Paul Fleischman
2002

 

Seedfolks is an interesting tale of a group of people who come together for the common good of a vacant lot in Cleveland.  They all strive and manage through their differences to work together to make a vacant lot a garden in the middle of a rough part of the city.  In the tale, each unique person finds their place in the city and where they fit in.

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I was a little surprised at the ending of the book and how it was compared to the movement of slaves in the 1860s.  I thought it was interesting how the author used every one's uniqueness to reveal the story or seeds.  I enjoyed how it was a "pass it on" theme throughout the text with these total strangers.  It was neat how the author brought the book full circle as well.

Poetry Books--Falling Up

Falling Up

Shel Silverstein
1996

Shel Silverstein has captured the minds and made us laugh with a full book of poems in "Falling Up".  He entertains us with hilarious poetry surrounding the elements of childhood. 

I couldn't not include one of my favorites poets and writers this week on Poetry Books.  As I child I loved the poetry of Shel Silverstein.  I found myself reading them over and over and always laughing.  I think, as a child, I could relate to some of these antics he writes about in his poems.  I enjoy using these in my teaching as well. 

Poetry Books---Something Big has Been Here

Something Big has Been Here

Jack Prelutsky
Drawings by James Stevenson

"Something Big Has Been Here" is a collection of hilarious poems that elementary aged children will love.  From funny characters to interesting animals, Jack Prelutsky brings to life many adventures for the entertainment of all. 

This book of poems is an excellent go to when you need a quick read aloud or a funny poem to lighten the mood in the room.  I have shared these with my students and absolutely love the funny antics of the poetry.  Jack Prelutsky has several other poetry books but another famous one of his is "New Kid on The Block".  These poems can be used to teach figurative language, as well as other poetic devices.

Poetry Books--The Best Poems Ever

The Best Poems Ever

A Collection of Poetry's Greatest Voices
edited by Edrie S. Mesmer

2001

This collection of poems ranges through the classics of The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe to Buffalo Dusk by Carl Sandburg.  William Shakespeare is also included.  These poems of moods and dialects from the early 20th century. 

I actually used the Carl Sandburg poem with my class called "Buffalo Dusk"  just this week.  Some of these classic poems would be hard for some of the elementary students to interpret without guidance.  However, I enjoy having this book in my classroom to share of these timeless favorites.