Virtual storytimes are a great way to foster a love of reading and bring stories to life for children. Below is a list of ten free online storytime resources:
1. Brightly Storytime
Brightly Storytime features read-aloud and flip along videos. You can follow @ReadBrightly on Instagram for live picture book readings every weekday at 2pm EST.
2. HarperKids From Home
HarperKids is hosting virtual storytimes with read-alouds and activities every day at noon EST via Facebook, Instagram (@harperkids), and YouTube.
3. #OPERATIONSTORYTIME
Search the hashtag #OperationStoryTime on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to find a collection of authors, celebrities, and illustrators reading children’s books aloud. Check back every few hours for new videos!
4. Read Out Loud
Read Out Loud is a video series of authors reading their books presented by KidLit TV. KidLit TV also features drawing tutorials with illustrators in its Ready Set Draw! series, along with other activities and resources for families.
5. Read Together, Be Together
Developed by Penguin Randon House and Parents magazine, authors and celebrities present live picture book readings every day at 3pm EST on Instagram or Facebook. Check the Read Together, Be Together website for the weekly schedule of events.
6. Save With Stories
Organized by Amy Adams and Jennifer Gardner, Save With Stories features read-alouds by celebrities on Instagram (@savewithstories). As part of this initiative, you can also donate to Save the Children and No Kid Hungry to support schools and community programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Signs For Hope – Children’s Books in ASL
This blog post offers an exhaustive list of ASL storytime videos and resources available online. One great resource provided on this list is the Instagram account @aslstorytelling.
8. Storyblocks
With video clips in English and Spanish, Storyblocks is a collection of 30-60 second videos of songs and spoken rhymes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Each video features early literacy tips to help caregivers increase their understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs.
9. Storyline Online
This resource from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is an archive of hundreds of children’s books read by famous actors like Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Betty White, and James Earl Jones.
10. Story Time From Space
This project by the Global Space Education Foundation features videos of astronauts reading children’s books in space.
If you know of any other virtual storytime resources, we’d love to hear from you! Please email Michelle Baldini at mbaldini@kent.edu with your suggestions.