COVID-19 Resources from the #Kidlit Community

Many authors, illustrators, publishers, and other members of the children’s literature world are offering virtual storytimes, live art tutorials, downloadable activity sheets, and other ways to give kids (and the caretakers they live with!) something special to look forward to during these strange days we are in. Below is a working list of free resources from the kidlit community. Add more in the comments below! I’ll continue to add to this list during the duration of school closures and event cancellations. Community is as important as ever even while we create physical distance among ourselves. Stay safe and be gentle with yourselves and each other.

• Anna Crowley Redding’s Camp Covid – resources and ideas from author Anna Crowley Redding
• Authors Everywhere! YouTube channel of read alouds and activities with children’s books authors & illustrators #OperationStorytime – use this hashtag to search social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find virtual storytimes
• Candlewick Resources – Activity sheets and more from Candlewick Press
• Charlesbridge: Activities & Downloadables
• Chiêu Anh Urban’s Spring Storytime Read Aloud and Crafts – activities and videos from author & illustrator Chiêu Anh Urban
• Chris Tebbetts: Free Skype Visits – Author Chris Tebbetts offers free Skype or Zoom visits to at-home learners
• Chris Tebbetts: Mini Workshops and Lessons for Young Writers – writing tutorials for grades 4-8 from author Chris Tebbetts
• Chris Van Dusen Read-Alouds – Author & illustrator Chris Van Dusen reads his books in video posts
• Daily Drawing with Tony DiTerlizzi – Daily live drawing with illustrator and author Tony DiTerlizzi at 1pm EST
• #Dandemic – Santat Online Survival School for the Pandemic from author and illustrator Dan Santat. Compiled into downloadable pdfs in Dropbox, too.
• Dav Pilkey at Home – Join author and illustrator Dav Pilkey for activities with characters from Dog Man and Captain Underpants. Check back every Friday for new activities, videos, and more
• Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s Kids Create! – Resources, activities and readalouds from author & illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi. You can also search #KidsDailyDebbieOhi to see her daily challenge for kids or checkout her entire YouTube channel for even more videos.
• Doreen Cronin’s Printable Activities – from author Doreen Cronin
• Draw Every Day with JJK: video sessions with author & illustrator Jarret J. Krosoczka
• Draw with Cece Bell – YouTube tutorials with author & illustrator Cece Bell
• Grace Lin’s Videos for Kids – from author & illustrator Grace Lin
• Grace Lin’s Kids Ask Authors Podcast
• Heidi Stemple’s Read-Alouds and Activities – Watch and learn with author Heidi E. Y. Stemple; download accompanying activity sheets
• Jarrett Lerner’s Activities – includes blank comics, “finish this comic,” drawing/writing prompts
• Josh Funk’s Stuff For Kids – printables, activities, songs, book trailers
• Joyce Wan, Home with the Kids – ideas and resources from author & illustrator Joyce Wan
• Katey Howes Read-Aloud & Activities – Maker-themed activities, book recommendations, and read-aloud on author Katey Howes’s YouTube channel (starting 3/23/20)
• KidLit TV – read-alouds, art tutorials, crafts, and more
• Learn to Write and Illustrate a Picture Book template for kids – from children’s book specialists Wildflower Books
• The Learning Center – resources from Nomad Press
• Let’s Go Children’s Books – find art tutorials author & illustrator Mary Preble
• Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems! – 1pm EST daily, hosted by The Kennedy Center, all episodes available on the site
• Lynda Mullally Hunt’s Spring into Extra Time at Home – resources and ideas from author Lynda Mullally Hunt
• Mac Barnett’s Live Read-Aloud – Author & illustrator Mac Barnett reads and answers questions in his Instagram Live Story at 12pm PST
• Matt Forrest Essenwine’s Wit & Wordplay – YouTube videos on writing and poetry from author Matt Forrest Essenwine
• Melissa Stewart’s Educational Resources – activities, printables, videos and more from nonfiction and science author
• Michelle Cusolito’s Resources for Learning Anywhere – compilation of resources from author, educator, and naturalist Michelle Cusolito.
• Mims House Books: Free Audiobooks and Ebooks – backlist of elementary science and chapter books are free
• Online storytimes and events from independent bookstore Linden Tree Books
• Open Book Foundation’s Educator Resource List – compilation of author & illustrator resources, research & curriculum support, and more
• Peter Reynolds’s Daily Read Alouds – videos of author & illustrator Peter Reynolds reading his books each day (live at 12pm EST)
• Picture Books Read Aloud Videos for Lesson Use from teacher and author Pernille Ripp
• Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere – from author Kate Messner
• Remote Learning with Authors and Illustrators – compilation of resources from children’s book author and educator Keila V. Dawson
• Russ Cox’s Free Downloads – printables for kids from author & illustrator Russ Cox
• SCBWI Connects – a digital directory of remote learning resources from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
• Scholastic Learn at Home – day-by-day projects for kids, search by grade level
• Scott Magoon’s Studio Storytime – weekly story time and drawing session with author and illustrator Scott Magoon
• Stay at Home Story Time with Oliver Jeffers – Author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers is reading one of his books aloud each weekday during COVID-19 closures
• #StoryMarch from the Greater Boston Illustrators’ Group – make a piece of art every day. Use and search this hashtag on social media, too.
• Susanna Leonard Hill’s Archive of Perfect Picture Books – all include resources for activities and extended learning, and her lists are searchable by creator, keyword, date, etc.
• Susi Schaefer’s Art Tutorials and More – drawing tutorials, process videos, and more from author. & illustrator Susi Schaefer
• Tracy Blom’s YouTube Read-a-Long – author Tracy Blom reads her books
• Writing Tips from Kate DiCamillo – You can also search #WritewithKate for more tips from author Kate DiCamillo
• Young Writer’s Blueprint – free guide for writers ages 6-10 by author Alice Kuipers and the folks at Children’s Book Insider

Guidelines from Publishers on Sharing Read-Aloud Videos (please note different publishers may have different guidelines and this is not a comprehensive list)

• Abrams Books
• Boyds Mills & Kane
• Candlewick Press
• Chronicle Books
• HarperCollins Children’s Books
• Lerner Books
• Little Brown Young Readers
• Macmillan
• Penguin Random House
• Scholastic
• Simon & Schuster