Storytime Online Resources

by Lindsey Krabbenhoft
Mar
14
2020

This is an evolving list of online storytime resources for families, preschools, and day cares. It includes videos, websites, and podcasts to support those who cannot make it to the library for any reason. The focus is on early literacy support online – songs, rhymes, movement, and stories. You can also follow the hashtag #kidlitquatantine on Twitter for updates on emerging resources specifically around children’s literature.

Please leave a comment with a recommended resource!

Livestreaming Storytimes

The following libraries are livestreaming storytimes while they are closed. They can be viewed by anyone. You can also check out this Google Calendar for online KidLit events hosted by authors and illustrators.

Songs, Rhymes, and Movement

Check out songs, rhymes, and fingerplays in many languages to sing with little ones.

Jbrary

I’ve created a list of all of our YouTube playlists so you can easily scan and find songs that work for you.

1, 2, 3 On Chante!

This French language educational resource is created by the Ottawa Public Library. The channel features our children staff’s favourite nursery rhymes, lullabies, and fingerplays. New videos are published every second Friday.

StoryBlocks

“Storyblocks is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood.” Includes 9 languages.

Flannel Board Fun

Wendy has a YouTube station filled with flannel and felt songs and rhymes.

Emily Arrow Singalong

Emily Arrow writes original songs based on children’s books. Next week on Monday – Friday she will be hosting a special story and song each day at 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST.

Tell Me a Story by KCLS

The King County Library System has a HUGE collection of songs and rhymes to sing with little ones.

Miss Nina – Children’s Sing & Move Along Songs

Miss Nina has a mix of original songs, old classics, and popular children’s books read aloud and paired with music.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

To help with panic and anxiety try this YouTube channel which is “yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world. “

Books and Audiobooks

Please check this Let’s Keep Reading Google doc for an evolving list of authors and illustrators that are holding livestream events and webcasts over the course of the next month. There is also an excellent crowd-sourced list of ASL eBooks and resources.

Check Your Local Library

Many public libraries provide access to eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, and databases with animated books (i.e. TumbleBooks). You will most likely need a library card to access these options.

Brightly Storytime

From Read Brightly, this YouTube channel features a new weekly full-length picture book read out loud by storyteller Ms. Linda.

Storyline Online

Storyline Online is an award-winning, interactive children’s literacy site that features famous actors like Kevin Costner, Betty White, James Earl Jones, Eva Longoria, and others reading children’s books alongside minor animation elements. 

Story Time From Space

Astronauts from the International Space Station read children’s books in outer space for children on earth to listen to. They have science videos that compliment the books.

International Children’s Digital Library

ICDL is a nonprofit organization that provides access to the best children’s books of their culture, and cultures around the world regardless of where they live. There are over 4,000 titles in 59 languages to choose from, that you can read to your children. 

Dial-a-Story by Toronto Public Library

Available in 16 languages, there are stories for kids ages 0 – 12. “Kids and their families can listen to a story by phone any time of day for FREE by calling the library’s Dial-A-Story service at 416-395-5400. ” If you don’t want to call long distance they also have a collection of free stories read aloud called Hear-a-Story.

Phone-a-Story by Denver Public Library

Call 720-865-8500 and listen to stories, songs and rhymes in English, Spanish, Amharic and Vietnamese.

Podcasts

Storytime Seedlings

Provided by the Santa Clara County Library District, this podcast features “books, fingerplays, rhymes, stories and songs for a screen-free storytime experience, anytime.”

Sesame Street Podcast

“Featuring the furry and loveable Muppets of Sesame Street. Sing songs with Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster and Grover. Learn about friendship, patience and sharing with Bert and Ernie.”

Circle Round

“Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR’s Circle Round is a podcast that adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 4 to 10.”

Story Pirates

“Story Pirates is a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater.” Great for older kids too.

40 thoughts on “Storytime Online Resources”

  7. Thank you for sharing so many awesome resources! We have a playlist on YouTube with our library staff sharing songs and rhymes alongside Kindergarten Readiness tips:

    Reply
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  9. Thank you all for sharing resources! Here is what I have to share. It is my first attempt at a “fully formed” online story time using many of the resources that have been mentioned by others in this community. (See the video description.) Feel free to repost it if it would be of use to you in the work you are doing to serve your patrons.

    Reply

  10. Do you all have a list of authors whose books we may read for online story time – those who have given permission?

    Reply

    1. I have seen so many things floating around and I’m not sure if any of them are definitive as the information is changing constantly. Here’s a few places to check:
      Author Permission Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14sKF93Q15buUUtJwrRvR8K8xAQdQSVss9Rzp69_oQRM/htmlview?usp=sharing&sle=true#
      A Roundup of Pandemic Resources for Librarians, Teachers and the Parents That We Serve: http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/03/a-roundup-of-pandemic-resources/
      Library Closed? Online Programming Content to Share with Your Families: https://yssevents.blogspot.com/2020/03/library-closed-online-programming.html

      Reply

      1. The WI lib Assoc’s Youth Services Shout-out blog (written by Youth Services Section folks) has been pushing out quite a bit of content including permissions for music and books; tips on livestreaming storytimes; professional development, self-care and etc with links in each post to the other “COVID-19” series of resources. We just shared a music permissions one in case that helps: https://yssevents.blogspot.com/2020/03/music-permissions-look-no-further.html

        Reply

  12. I’m trying to put together a mini story time online each day while schools and libraries are closed. My website is: http://paulaspreschoolandkindergarten.blogspot.com/ My aim is to retell a story, sing a song or rhyme, and suggest ways parents can follow up at home with materials they likely have on hand. If this is helpful to anyone, please share!

    There is also a great NEW podcast from Harvard Center on the Developing Child called Brain Architects. There are only 3 episodes so far, but they are awesome!

    Reply

  17. Thank you for this list, ladies!

    I am a public children’s librarian, and was wondering if I can share some of your songs with my kids when I do some online storytimes next week? They will most likely be recorded videos and uploaded to YouTube. I will cite you or the original artists, of course!

    Thank you again 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Kathy! I hadn’t hear about Audible yet. It’s so great to see the community pulling together right now.

      Reply
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  20. We’re doing a couple different storytimes each week on Facebook Live at Sun Prairie Public Library! You need to go the Youth Services page (SPPLYS) to find the livestream, not the main library page.

    Reply

  21. Do you all know how copyright issues affect the songs etc you post on YouTube? I’d like to do a virtual storytime but I’m going to be darn sure I do it right. If we sing the same songs that you all have posted is that ok?

    Reply

    1. We have tried our very best to track down any copyright information for the songs we shared on YouTube. 99% of them are in the public domain or have been passed down orally with no known author. For the few that do have copyright restrictions we asked the original artist and put a note in the description box below the video. Please check there for all songs you are considering sharing. If there is no note on copyright I’d say go for it. If an author pops up out of nowhere claiming it’s their song then you can blame me (and I can go back and ask for permission and credit).

      Reply

      1. Sweet this is wildly helpful. I figured lots were traditional folk songs or similar. Thank you so much for replying. You all are a gift to the storytime world and such a huge asset. Lemme know if you’re ever in the Denver area and I will treat you to the beverage of your choice!

        Reply

    1. Thank you, Kelsey! Do you know if it’s possible to sort the videos by language on Vimeo? I don’t have much practice with that platform. So cool to discover all those videos!

      Reply

  23. Hi!
    The Athens Regional Library System in Northeast Georgia (covering Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Madison, Oglethorpe, and Franklin counties) is hosting virtual storytimes Monday-Friday at 10:30 am. Our individual branches are doing virtual events as well, but they’re all posted here to consolidate:
    https://www.facebook.com/athenschildrens/

    Thank you so much for these resources!

    Reply

  24. Hi,
    Thank you soo much. I’m a fairly new Youth Services Librairan. You are my treasure for storytime planning. I love your presentations and resources. Due to the current situation, do you recomment flannel board storytime online? Take care. Stay healthy.

    Reply

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