This is obviously a new area for preschool teachers and they are busy with so many other important aspects of early literacy. There isn't much out there yet, but a few interesting projects and homepages are worth noting.
- Mary Meyers Preschool Homepage provides lots of insight into what's working in this teacher's classroom as she encourages her children to explore technology and Internet resources.
- Kirkland Preschool's website features curriculum guides, a list of online resources, and a gallery of sample artwork from students.
- Mrs. Levin's Pre-K Class Webpage offers a great resource section for teachers, a classroom photo gallery, and a section featuring thematic units. Make sure you check out her page on using technology in the early childhood classroom!
Literacy Organizations
The Foundation for Comprehensive Early Literacy Learning
The CELL Preschool Literacy Project is designed to provide professional development to support teachers in preparing young children to enter kindergarten with the necessary language and early reading and writing skills to ensure school success
International Reading Association embraces appropriate early literacy experiences delivered by well-prepared, knowledgeable, caring preschool teachers. High-quality preschools can ensure that all children are prepared for school and are developing literacy skills.
Websites about Books, Authors and Children's Literature
- Authors and Illustrators from Eduplace
- Author Spotlight from Kids@RandomHouse
- Book Hive features reviewed collections of books in several categories.
- Caldecott Medal Homepage given to an illustrator for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
- Children's Book Council includes an Authors & Illustrators section.
- Children's Literature Web Guide from the University of Calgary is one of the best resources on this topic.
- Children's Literature Websites from the Internet School Library Media Center includes an index of author resources for children and young adult authors and illustrators.
- Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University abstracts over 5,000 children's books.
- Mona Kerby's The Reading Corner, a place to find good books to read, includes among other things, great reviews of popular picturebooks and an Author Corner
- Newbury Medal Homepage given to a writer for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
- ProTeacher.com's Hotlist of websites related to Books and Reviews
- Read-Aloud List from National Network for Child Care
Online Literature for Young Children
- A Pocket Full of Rhymes presents children with a relaxed environment to learn and enjoy poetry.
- Absolutely Whootie Stories to Grow By includes fairy tales, folk tales and other great stories for children.
- Chateau Meddybemps Beantime Stories are modern stories designed for online publishing.
- ChildrenStory.com has real story tellers that read aloud fairy tales using Real Audio. Follow the words or simply listen.
- Fairy Tales and Poetry from Alfy.com includes well illustrated books that are read aloud to children and links to other online sources of text.
- Mightybook.com features read-aloud picture books, sing-along songs, video song books, poetry, story-writing and illustrating contests and learning games designed for children ages 2-12.
- Nursery Rhymes from Enchanted Learning, complete with rebus pictures for early readers.
- Preschool Library from Storyplace.org includes 4 different themes with an online story, online activity, take home story and booklist. Available in Spanish too.
- Reading A-Z special preview of 28 leveled books for guided and independent reading. You can download and print all of them out.
- Reading Zone from the Internet Public Library's Youth Collection links to picture books and short stories for young readers.