Today I want to concentrate on digital libraries for children. I think they are a great way to engage children. There are several that come to mind. Although TumbleBookLibrary and One More Story are fabulous sites with interactive audio and visual enhancements they are available only by subscription. The following sites are free:
The Rosetta Project claims to hold the largest selection of antique children’s books on-line.
Starfall was a favorite of my boys when they were a bit younger. Although readers can choose from four different reading levels its greatest appeal is to little ones. This site also allows readers to rate the books they’ve read.
Planet Ozkids consists of two sites, Animals, Myths and Legends and Ace Detectives. For mystery enthusiasts, Ace Detectives can be a lot of fun as it allows the reader to collect clues and determine what action the characters will take next.
And my absolute favorite children’s digital library is the International Children’s Digital Library. The laborious research conducted at Maryland University has paid off. Its goal is to “select, collect, digitize, and organize children’s materials in their original languages and to create appropriate technologies for access and use by children 3-13 years old.” Currently ICDL showcases approximately 900 free books in 34 languages. The site is colorful and dynamic. Children are able to choose borders and formats for their books. And the search mechanism offers unique tools such as searching by the color of the book cover. You really have to check it out!
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For more free online libraries for children, we at Bookyards have compiled a list of 15 of them at http://www.bookyards.com/categories.html?type=links&category_id=1783
Bookyards is a free online library and education portal at http://www.bookyards.com
Thank you mentioning Planet Ozkids. We do not have in our list, but it will be added in the next few weeks when we update our site.
Sorry, the link was cut. The correct link is
www.bookyards.com/categories.html?type=links&category_id=1783
I love your BLOG!! I went to the International Children's Digital Library and could have stayed on it all day long. I read their Mission Statement. One statement really stood out to me it was, "Denial to access to information in one's mother tongue is equivalent to a denial of a human right." It went on to say, "In terms of pdeagogy, how do children learn best? In their mother tongue."
Thanks for sharing such wonderful sites.
Cindi
Well done! Thank you for sharing some great digital resources for kids as well as educators, children's librarians, parents, etc.
I had heard of Tumblebooks but was not familiar with the International Children's Digital Library. Very intersting and fun.
I'll have to recommend these sites to my brother and nephew.
Cheers!
Amy
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