Help at Home, 4/8/20

Art

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Coloring Book

Mindful that patients and other kids are hearing scary-sounding news about the coronavirus, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has created a coloring book intended to help give them a better understanding of the infectious agent behind the pandemic. It’s available as a download from their website.

Free Coloring Pages

Libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions around the world are sharing free coloring sheets and books based on materials in their collections. Download, print, and share your favorites!

Kid Coloring Apps

Don’t want to (or can’t) use a printer for coloring pages? Here’s a list of The 10 Best Kid Coloring Apps of 2020. Note: Some apps may require premium access and offer in-app purchases.

Entertainment

Goodnight with Dolly

Dolly Parton will be reading a series of bedtime stories which will be available to watch online for 10 weeks. It will be streamed on the Imagination Library’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page, with videos available to view after live broadcast.

LeVar Burton Read Alouds!

LeVar Burton, who you may remember from Reading Rainbow, is planning a schedule of read-alouds on his Twitter Livestream. Mondays are for kids, Wednesdays are for YA and Fridays are for adults!

Flower Talk Read Aloud

Author Sara Levine reads Flower Talk!

Read Aloud of Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches

Julie Fulton reads her book!

Harry Potter at Home

J.K. Rowling has announced that craft videos, quizzes, puzzles, articles, and more are now available at her new site, Harry Potter At Home.

Hands-On Activities

45 How-To Science Experiment Videos for Kids

From the Kitchen Pantry Scientist, Liz Heinecke. Some, like cornstarch goo and tie-dye milk are perfect for the younger crowd, while older kids can tackle the tougher projects.

Makerspace Monday

If you’ve been following Booklist Reader for the past couple weeks, you’ve already seen contributor Anastasia Suen’s delightful “Creating Makerspaces at Home” series. Check out their website each week for Makerspace Monday!

History

Whippersnapper Hour: Reading the Past

Do you have a 7-13 year old looking for things to do? Try the Whippersnapper Hour: Reading the Past. The Stearns History Museum’s 10-minute video shows children how to do research using original sources. Cool photos and instructions from Caitlin Carlson, the museum’s program and visitor services manager.

Language Arts and World Languages

Biblionasium

Biblionasium is a platform that encourages the love of reading, builds digital citizenship skills and allows kids to connect with their friends in a safe, learning-focused environment. Biblionasium offers free and paid options. More information about both are here.

Marvel Offers 12 Popular Comics Free Via App

From Book Riot: “Through the Marvel Unlimited app, users will have access to 12 popular Marvel comics free of charge until May 4th. If you’re downloading the app just for these comics, select the free comics option and there is currently no trial subscription or need to give a credit card. Check out the titles and get your comic read on.”