E-books for children from your library
How often are you are sitting in a restaurant or standing in a line with your children and you really, really need something to help entertain them?
These days it's pretty easy to hand children our cellphone or tablet and allow games or YouTube to entertain them. That's nice, but what if I told you that your Abilene Public Library provides a great resource for kids that is not only entertaining, but educational?
TumbleBooks and TumbleBooks, Jr. are two of many such resources provided by the library.
According to the TumbleBooks website, 'TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of animated, talking picture books that teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love.'
TumbleBooks provides books that can be listened to or read, as well as videos, puzzles, games and more. Although the website's primary purpose is to promote reading, other concepts, such as math, spelling, science, and history also are presented.
There also is a language learning tab that reads books in other languages and provides games to reinforce concepts that have been taught.
One great thing about these books is that the children may read along with the books, so they are hearing the words, looking at the pages, and the words are highlighted on the page as they are read. Fluency studies have shown that this is an excellent method for helping readers who struggle with dyslexia or other learning problems. This is also helpful for beginning readers, who can grow their vocabulary by seeing the written words while hearing them.
Brief educational videos, including National Geographic videos, also are available through the website. These cover different categories, including animals and nature; space and technology; geography; history; biology; earth science; and social studies.
Although all age groups may enjoy and benefit from this website, TumbleBooks is geared to appeal to children from toddlers to third grade.
TumbleBookCloud Junior is designed for children in third through sixth grade and features longer stories and higher reading and interest levels. Many of the books also include quizzes and lesson plans linked to Common Core guidelines for teachers and students.
Both websites provide Accelerated Reader quiz information.
The websites can be accessed through the library's home page at www.abilenetx.com/apl. Click on the 'Digital Services' link, then scroll down to the TumbleBook link. For ease of access, simply bookmark that page or add a shortcut to your home screen or desktop.
TumbleBooks provides great books and resources for children, parents and teachers — and they are right at your fingertips on your phone or tablet through your Abilene Public Library.