Leading to Reading Web Site, by Reading is Fundamental, Inc.

Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (n.d.). Leading to Reading [Web site]. http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/

AGE LEVEL
0 through 4 year-olds

GENRE
Web site

REVIEW
RIF’s Leading to Reading Web site is quite comprehensive, containing content appropriate for 0-2 year olds and 3-5 year olds in two distinctly labeled areas. The “Babies and Toddlers” area contains numerous stories which a narrator reads aloud while each word is highlighted in turn and background music is included.  It also contains lullabies sung with musical background, well-designed interactive games, clear demonstrations of fingerplays, and nursery rhymes read aloud. The “Preschoolers” section contains more stories, animated songs, interactive games, a drawing area, and short videos and facts about various animals. All links on the site are clearly labeled with pictures and sound to help young children navigate to the various activities. The narrators of the stories exhibit an excitement about reading, and the performers of the fingerplays are animated. Even the voices which announce the links when one mouses over them are upbeat. The Web site also includes a section where parents can learn about how to read to their children and related topics. This exemplary site is very highly recommended.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
This site could be included on a library pathfinder of reading readiness resources.

PBS Kids Online Games, by PBS

PBS.org. (2010). Games: PBS Kids. http://pbskids.org/games/index.html

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Web site

REVIEW
PBS.org offers numerous online games, several of which encourage reading readiness. The “Elmo’s Rhymes” game, for example, is a good choice to help develop phonological awareness and build vocabulary. Each segment of the game begins with Elmo naming and showing an object, and children must click on an object which rhymes with the named object.   The game “Dog’s Letter Pit,” should assist with the development of letter knowledge and vocabulary. Children first click the image of the dog, causing him to jump into a pile of letters. A few letters then pop up on the screen, and as a voice sounds them out, children must choose the letters that match each particular sound. A third game is “Caillou’s Match the Leaves”, in which children must choose which of a group of small leaves has the same shape as a big leaf. This would be a good lead-in to the development of letter knowledge as children gain practice in deciding which objects are alike and different.  All three games are fun, images are clear, and most scenes are uncluttered.  The games are fairly easy to play, yet even for an adult, figuring out how to manipulate certain objects on the screen may take some trial-and-error clicking. Parents should practice these games before introducing young children to them.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
This Web site could be included on a library pathfinder of suggested reading readiness resources.

Maisy's Fun Club, by Candlewick.com

Candlewick Press. (n.d.). Maisy’s Fun Club [Web site]. http://www.maisyfunclub.com/default.htm

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Web Site

REVIEW
This is a Web site based on the characters in Lucy Cousins’ Maisy books. Maisy is a mouse-like creature with human hands and feet. The Web site, like the books, introduces concepts such as sorting, colors, and numbers. The site includes interactive games as well as printable games and activity sheets. Children can color pictures online and view and listen to Maisy stories as an adult reads them aloud. A nice feature of this site is that every link is accompanied by an image, helping pre-readers to navigate around. Another great feature is that certain items, such as the games, are offered in various levels of difficulty. Children and parents alike will enjoy the inclusion of a very natural video of Lucy Cousins demonstrating in detail how she draws and paints, while talking about her art training, how she came to draw Maisy, and what Maisy is like. This will certainly encourage children that they too are capable of creating art. There are no commercial intrusions on the site other than a small icon which leads to an area where books can be purchased. Downsides to the site include the facts that the “A to Z” letter links on the gallery page don’t lead anywhere and some of the illustrations are very small. Other than this, however, it is an exemplary interactive site for preschoolers.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
This Web site could be included on a library pathfinder of electronic resources for young children