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.

Storyline Online, by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation

Screen Actors Guild Foundation. (n.d.). Storyline Online [Web site]. http://www.storylineonline.net/

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Web Site

REVIEW
Storyline Online is a Web site hosted by the Screen Actors Guild on which well-known performers of all ages such as Betty White, James Earl Jones, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Woods, and several others read picture books aloud. A sampling of the books read include: Brave Irene, by William Steig; The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg; Romeow and Drooliet, by Nina Laden; among twenty others.  Several of the picture books are appropriate for very young children, and the fact that most of the performers read the works with excitement, inflection, and at a comfortably easy pace accentuates this. The backdrops behind the readers are living room scenes familiar to most young children. Each story video possesses a good balance between shots of the book itself and of the reader. This site will be fun for children and also a good model for parents of read-aloud techniques in action. Each story also includes links to related activities and an activity guide. One drawback of the site is the difficulty of navigating back to the homepage after each story is finished. Parents will definitely need to assist their children throughout their use of this site.  Yet, this does not take away from the fact that this is a valuable resource.

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

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