Online Stories for Children

My Heart is Like a Zoo Book and Videos

2012-02-08T16:27:00.001-07:00

Here's a great book to share with a preschooler. Just watch this video trailer of the book. You'll want to find this book at the library, a bookstore, or from the Amazon link I share further down this page.

Now you can watch the entire story read aloud. Animal sounds included.

My Heart is Like a Zoo

Otto's Orange Day - A Toon Book

2011-12-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Toon Books are graphic novels or comic books for early readers. The books are grouped by three levels to help you choose books for early readers. You'll have to check out the Toon Book website and Professor Garfield's website to find a cartoon maker.

For now try out Otto's Orange Day. You can choose the option to have the book read to you. Click on the word boxes to have the words read aloud. Click on the arrow to turn pages. Here's the link. Otto's Orange Day

Here's a cartoon maker for Otto's Orange Day. Cartoon Maker - Otto's Orange Day

Here's a link to Amazon where you can read reviews and purchase this book. Be sure to look for other Toon Books for early readers.

Clip art of orange wedge licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

2011-11-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

Have you read the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to a child? It's a repetitive story written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle. Children love this story read to them over and over. It's so good for their little brains. Each page asks the question, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? A child listening to the story gets to try to remember what the Brown Bear sees next before the page is turned.

Eric Carle reads this story aloud at this link.

My oldest son "reads" this story by memory at the age of two, because he loved it and made me read it to him about 100 times. Here's a video of my son "reading" this book. (Sorry about the noise in the background. We had the window open, and cars were driving by.)

Board books are great for children under four years of age. Here's a great set of board books that includes Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton

2011-11-16T08:45:00.002-07:00

You can find Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton read by Molly Ringwald on Barnes and Noble's Online Storytime site. This story is a great book about making friends and overcoming fears. Molly Ringwald does a wonderful job bringing this story to life! My eight year old twins enjoyed this book.

Children of all ages like to watch free online stories. Online Storytime by Barnes and Noble won't disappoint!

Join in a discussion after watching this book!

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco

2011-11-09T09:43:00.004-07:00

My eight year old daughter choose to listen to My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother last night from one of our favorite online story sites, Storyline Online. I think she chose it because she doesn't get along as well with her ten year old brother as she does with her twin brother.

You can find this story read by Melissa Gilbert at Storyline Online. The story probably won't keep the attention of children under 5 years of age. I don't want to give away the end, but it has a happy ending with the siblings feeling love for each other.

Everyone in our family including my son and daughter know they love each other. They just rub each other the wrong way sometimes. Do you have this problem with any children in your family? Do you have a reaction to this story? Let us know in a comment or join in a discussion.

Patricia Polacco has written many other books. Appelemando's Dreams is written by Patricia Polacco. It has been a favorite read aloud around our house for years.

Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

2011-11-02T19:45:00.005-06:00

The Rainbow Fish is a beautiful book.

You can watch the entire story of The Rainbow Fish for free. Famous actor, Ernest Borgnine, reads The Rainbow Fish at Storyline Online. Click on the Storyline Online link. You should find The Rainbow Fish on the first page.

Join in a discussion after watching this book.

This popular book has inspired many other stories.

Be sure to watch The Rainbow Fish and find 23 other free children's books read by actors at Storyline Online.

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

2011-06-22T10:10:00.003-06:00

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes is an adorable story with repeated language. Young children love books with repeated language. Be warned. If you buy this book, you will be asked to read this story over and over. Don't worry though. Your young child will take over half of the reading in no time even before he or she can read. Children who are read to often from the same books start to pretend read stories.

Here's a video of the author of Pete the Cat telling and singing the story.

Here's a young boy reading this story. So cute!

Here's a video of my son pretend reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Vote for the Children's Choice Book Awards 2011

2011-05-24T11:27:00.000-06:00

A Story Before Bed has online versions of the Children's Book Choice Awards for 2011 available online. You can vote right on the site. Here's the link to view the nominees and vote.
2011 Children's Choice Book Awards

Children's Storybooks Online

2011-04-01T20:24:00.000-06:00

You will find some great children's stories for free online at Children's Storybooks Online.

Some have audio.

There are books for all age levels.

Some are good for a child to read by themselves.

Some you might want to read aloud or use the audio option.

Learn about the authors of these stories here.

Please share the titles of some of your favorite stories from this site in a comment. You'll help busy parents find the best stories.

Jon Scieszka Interview on Video and Smash Crash from Barnes and Noble

2011-03-26T08:07:00.001-06:00

Smash Crash from Jon Scieszka's Trucktown Series is so much fun. If your child loves it, you should find a copy from your local library. There's just something special about holding a good book in your hands.

Learn more about Jon Scieszka in this interview.

Harry the Dirty Dog and To Be a Drum from Storyline Online

2011-03-18T21:53:00.001-06:00

Reading aloud to a child snuggled up on your lap or next to you is the best way to enjoy a story, but an online story can be fun. Famous actors read with expression and make all the stories on Storyline Online brought to you from The Screen Actors Guild Foundation come to life!

Storyline Online will be one of your child's favorite destinations for Online Stories! Be sure to check out the related activities.

You could make it a goal to enjoy the first two stories from Storyline Online this week.

Betty White does an amazing job reading Harry the Dirty Dog. This is a fun story made better by Betty's bubbly voice!

James Earl Jones reads To Be a Drum. This story is about moving from slavery to freedom. It's a beautiful story. I think you'll like it. Young children may not understand the story, but James Earl Jone's voice and the music will keep a young child's attention.

Online Stories: Dear Zoo and Quick as a Cricket

2011-03-09T22:21:00.005-07:00

I surfed the web this week and found two fun stories for your kids to watch online.

These children's stories are extra special. They include a person telling the stories with sign language.

Watch Dear Zoo

Watch Quick as a Cricket

Barnes and Noble Online Storytime - Pinkalicious and Olivia

2011-03-05T08:20:00.002-07:00

Look here every Saturday for a new post with a few free online stories!

I created this blog over a year ago and haven't been updating it. Richele from Under the Golden Apple Tree posted a link to Barnes and Noble Online Storytime at We Teach Children to Read on Facebook. She inspired me to start posting here again. Every Saturday I'll make a new post. Subscribe with email to get all new posts delivered to your inbox!

Barnes and Noble Online Storytime is featuring Green Eggs and Ham this month in honor of Dr. Suess's birthday. For some reason these two cute stories were my favorites today. I hope you and your children enjoy them as much as I did.

Pinkalicious
Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann

Olivia

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Meet JB Rowley

2010-12-14T16:20:00.001-07:00

JB Rowley is a storyteller. You can learn about her and find links to listen to her storytelling here.

I remember two storytellers in my family from my childhood. My dad and my aunt. The aunt who told stories wasn't my dad's sister. She was my mom's sister. They both had one favorite story they would tell. My dad's included my sister, my brother, and I enjoying a magical land made out of candy with rivers of pop. We would go on an adventure through the magical land. My aunt told a story of cousins running off to the circus and our adventures. The stories were never the same adventure. My limited memories don't allow me to remember all the details, but I very much enjoyed their stories.

Find Ways to Use Online Stories Here

2010-04-27T13:58:00.001-06:00

I will be making posts linking to an online story and providing different ways to use stories with a child.

Here is a list of posts that will be organized and updated.

Improve Reading Comprehension
The Frog Princess

Improve Print Awareness
And The Caboose Said

Listen to Robert Munsch Read Many of his Popular Books

2010-01-25T21:34:00.006-07:00

Robert Munsch reads many of his popular stories for FREE on his site!

Really it's true!

Here's the link.

Click on the books you'd like to hear Robert Munsch read when you get to Robert Munsch's website.

Click on these titles to find reviews and purchasing information for some of Robert Munsch's books available at Amazon.
50 Below Zero
A Promise is a Promise
Aaron's Hair
Alligator Baby
Andrew's Loose Tooth
Angela's Airplane
Boo
David's Father
From Far Away
Get Me Another One
Get Out of Bed
Good Families Don't
I Have To Go
Jonathan Cleaned Up...
Lighthouse - A Story of Remembrance
Love You Forever
Makeup Mess
Millicent and The Wind
MMM, Cookies
Moira's Birthday
More Pies
Mortimer
Mud Puddle
Murmel Murmel Murmel
Murmel Murmel Munsch
Pigs!
Playhouse
Purple Green and Yellow
Ribbon Rescue
Show and Tell
Something Good
Stephanie's Ponytail
The Boy in the Drawer
The Dark
The Fire Station
The Paper Bag Princess
Thomas' Snowsuit
Up, Up, Down
Wait and See
We Share EVERYTHING!
Where is Gah-Ning?
ZOOM

What's BookPig? It's a cool new way to find the best books for a child. You will find books for beginning readers to young adults. Make your own book selections from more than 20,000 books or have help from an online librarian. Books will be sent right to your door in a fun package for a monthly fee based on the plan you choose.

Use this Code READHLPZ to get $10 off. Check out Book Pig's Site.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment.

Fables From Aesop by Tom Lynch Animated Online

2010-01-08T11:16:00.001-07:00

I found the original artwork and all four fables from Tom Lynch's wonderful books animated and read aloud.
Watch Fables from Aesop

This book is available for review and purchase at Amazon.
Fables from Aesop

Online Stories Read by Actors at Storyline Online

2010-01-08T11:01:00.003-07:00

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has 22 children stories. Each children's story is read by a different actor. http://www.storylineonline.net/

Many of these stories are available for review and purchase at Amazon.
A Bad Case of the Stripes
Brave Irene
Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy?
Enemy Pie
Guji Guji
Knots on a Counting Rope
Me and My Cat
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother
No Mirrors in My Nana's House
Private I. Guana
Romeow and Drooliet
Sebastian's Roller Skates
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch
Sophie's Masterpiece
Stellaluna
Thank You, Mr. Falker
The Night I Followed the Dog
The Polar Express
To Be a Drum
When Pigasso Met Mootisse
White Socks Only
Wilfrid Gordon

Leading to Reading Online Stories

2010-01-08T09:45:00.001-07:00

Leading to reading has some great online stories.

Three books are available for review and purchase at Amazon:

Online Stories for Children

2010-01-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of stories your child can listen to online when you're too busy to read a story yourself.

Find eleven great stories including The Snowy Day and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/preschoolers/read.htm

Don't miss this site. There are a large number of books read aloud. http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp

Choose a story read by an actor from The Screen Actor's Guild Foundation at Storyline Online.
http://www.storylineonline.net/

Choose a story read by Mrs. P.
http://www.mrsp.com/v1/mrsp.html

Find sixteen stories for listening or reading by turning the audio on or off.
http://www.ziggityzoom.com/stories.php

Follow along with eight stories as words are highlighted when read.
http://www.kizclub.com/reading3.htm

Check out Lil' Fingers Storybooks.
http://www.lil-fingers.com/storybooks/index.html

Find four animated Fables.
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/aesop/index.html

Read Clifford's Interactive Story Books.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/

Find stories, games, and learning videos from Starfall.
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/play.htm?f

Choose from six categories of books to read online from Starfall.
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-c/index/load.htm?f?f

Listen to six free stories from Mighty Books.
http://www.mightybook.com/story_books.html

Nick Jr. stories
http://www.nickjr.com/playtime/cats/stories/all_stories/index.jhtml

Interactive stories by Sebastian Swan
http://www.sebastianswan.org.uk/

Children's Storybooks Online
http://www.magickeys.com/books/

Stories, poems, and novels with text and audio.
http://www.loudlit.org/

Stories Collected by Kindersite
http://www.kindersite.org/Directory/Stories.htm