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Need more books but libraries are closed?

by Parents and FamiliesResources

Where to find free e-books for kids

Print books are best for developing minds, but if you’re looking for something new to read while libraries and bookstores are closed, there are options for electronic books, and some of them are free:

Hoopla Digital works with many public libraries to let readers check out e-books, audiobooks and comics with their public library cards. The site has more than 4,500 titles. Hoopla lets multiple people check out the same title. Readers are allowed a set number of titles per month. In West Virginia, participating libraries include the West Virginia Library Commission, Clarksburg-Harrison County, Bridgeport, Marion County, Kanawha County, South Charleston and Morgantown Public Library.

WVDELI, or the West Virginia Digital Entertainment Library Initiative, is the result of several libraries collaborating years ago to deliver materials in new formats. E-books and audiobooks for all ages check out on your library card like physical materials. The newer Libby app is a pleasure to use. Participating libraries include Bridgeport, Clarksburg-Harrison County, Fayette County, Kanawha County, Lowe, Lynn Murray Memorial, Marion County, Mary H. Weir, Morgantown, Ohio County, South Charleston, Southern Area and Swaney Memorial Library.

Library of Congress Center for the Book offers classic titles for young readers and other ages. Expect PDFs you can read on your device, including “The Ugly Duckling” and Anne of Green Gables. 

Open Library, a project of the non-profit Internet Archive, asks you to create a free account to check out digital versions of books, like any library. This site offers titles from popular kids’ collections such as Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and Junie B. Jones. Genres include fantasy, young children’s, young adult and middle readers.

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How long does the coronavirus live on stuff?

by NewsParents and Families

From playgrounds to doorknobs to your mail, here’s the best we can find.

By Kristen LeFevers

Hard surfaces:

The virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on hard surfaces, such as plastic and stainless steel, for up to 72 hours, according to James Lloyd-Smith, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, NPR reports. This means that counters, tabletops, doorknobs, children’s hard toys, phones and devices and other flat, hard surfaces should be regularly disinfected. 

Cardboard:

The same unpublished study said the virus did not survive beyond 24 hours on cardboard.  

While it can last that long, people are not likely to catch COVID-19 by handling mail, Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, says.

Wash your hands after handling the mail to be sure, she said.  If you’re still concerned, however, there’s nothing wrong with wiping down packages and their contents once they’re delivered.

In the absence of more specific recommendations, Read Aloud treats glossy book covers like hard surfaces and regularly disinfects them.

Playgrounds:

Dr. Jenny Radesky, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at the University of Michigan, recommends against playgrounds, where germs can accumulate. Sunshine is a good disinfectant, but the effect of the sun’s rays on the new coronavirus is not yet known, reports the New York Times. However, all public health sources recommend children and adults go outside, for both physical and mental health, as long as they keep at least six feet from people from other households.

How to clean your house:

Clean high-traffic areas of your house daily with soapy water, a soap spray or disinfecting wipes, and then wash hands (and gloves, if you use them) afterward, recommends the New York Times. 

Think door knobs, light switches, refrigerator and microwave doors, drawer handles, remote controls, counters and table tops, toilet handles, faucet handles. 

Soap or hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer is great if you don’t have access to soap and water, but it turns out that old-fashioned soap and water are more effective, according to a recent article from Vox.

That’s because soap pulls the virus apart and makes it water-soluble, causing it to disintegrate, Palli Thordarson, a chemistry professor at the University of South Wales, has told several publications and posted on Twitter. 

Technique matters. As all the posters show, wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Rub all parts of the hands, including fingernails, between fingers, and the backs of hands.

Kristen LeFevers is a senior in English at the University of Charleston.

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How to talk to kids about the coronavirus

by Parents and FamiliesResources

By Kristen LeFevers

Fight fear, as well as the new coronavirus, with information. But not too much, and keep it age-appropriate, says Jennifer Randall Reyes, a behavioral health clinician at WVU’s Health Sciences Center.

“Facts decrease anxiety,” she said. With the spread of COVID-19 dominating headlines and disrupting everyday lives, it’s easy to feel anxious.

Talk about these subjects in ways that decrease anxiety and reinforce healthy habits, for both children and adults:

— “Kids are like adults — they want to know what’s going on,” Randall Reyes said, but limit their electronic time. “Keep them as far away from the news as possible.”

Instead, parents should talk to their kids about why they’re staying home, to protect the most vulnerable — the elderly and the immune-suppressed.

— She also said that children can get sick from the virus and need to know that. “Acknowledge it as fact, but tune in to their level.” She even suggested setting aside time each day, as a family, to discuss questions or concerns that the children might have. 

“Be as honest as you can without increasing their anxiety,” she said. Also, use words children understand. “Anxiety is an adult word. Stress and worry are more age-appropriate.”

— For teenagers, parents should monitor what news outlets their children are accessing on their devices.

— Don’t just tell children to wash hands. Do it with them. It is easy to forget the basics in a time of crisis, even for adults, she said. Modeling healthy habits, rather than just talking about them, benefits everyone. 

— Get good sleep.

— Play.

“Kids’ learning language is play,” she said.

If parents can bring an element of fun to healthy habits, they should.

Encourage children to think of five ways to turn a light switch off or without touching it, for example. “Make a game of it.”

Kristen LeFevers is a senior in English at the University of Charleston.

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Volunteer Readers: Record yourself reading aloud to send to your class

by VideosVolunteer Readers

Missing your Read Aloud class? We can help! Just record yourself doing your normal read aloud routine, upload it to this Google Drive folder with your name and school in the title, and we’ll put it on our YouTube and Facebook pages for you to share with your teacher. Then your teacher can share the video with parents from your class, so the kids can still see you reading aloud even when they’re at home!

Here are some guidelines to help you make a successful video:

  1. Pick a quiet spot in your home, where your read aloud won’t be interrupted by loud noises or people walking past.
  2. Use the best video camera you can find. This may be your phone, and that’s great! Just be sure to turn it horizontal before you start recording.
  3. Make sure your camera is stable. If you’re having someone else record you, let them rest their arm on a table or the back of a chair so the picture doesn’t wobble.
  4. Follow the rules you normally would for a read aloud session – practice reading the book three times beforehand, use voices (if you are comfortable doing so) to make the story engaging, and show pictures to the camera!

If you have any trouble making or uploading your video, email Amanda at aschwartz@readaloudwv.org.

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Free and reduced meal resources for families

by Parents and FamiliesResources

Many West Virginian families rely on schools to provide lunch and sometimes breakfast to their children throughout the week. While schools are close due to the COVID 19 outbreak, these families are struggling.

The following is a list of resources for families who need meal assistance during this crisis. It will be updated regularly as we find out about new options across the state.

Statewide

West Virginia Department of Education Feeding Sites in All Counties

Cabell County

Stewart’s Hotdogs

They are offering some serious meal deals for families. They’ll serve you at your car window, so it’s a safe option for self-quarantined folks. Check their Facebook page or give them a call for the latest updates.

Kanawha County

Suzi’s Hamburgers in South Charleston

“Don’t hesitate to bring your kiddos! No judgment! We are here to help! We DO NOT require an adult to purchase a meal before a child will receive free food.”

Happy Days Cafe, South Charleston

Free PB&J sandwiches and chips Monday-Friday, 1-3 pm.

Mountain Pie Company on the River

Kids 12 and younger eat for free off the kids menu

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Readers to postpone school visits until further notice

by Parents and FamiliesSupportersVolunteer Readers

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your commitment and service to West Virginia children.  

In the interest of slowing the spread of the coronavirus, please postpone reading in schools until further notice. Please let your teacher know.

Even if you are not in a particularly high-risk group for complications from COVID-19, it is important for all of us to take every step possible to slow the spread of the infection.

Here is an excellent explanation of how cancelling gatherings before a case is confirmed will save lives:

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation

In addition, for the health of you, your families and your communities, here is another good story explaining how soap and water (which is plentiful) destroy this virus better than anything else (although hand sanitizer is good if soap and water are unavailable). 

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2020/3/11/21173187/coronavirus-covid-19-hand-washing-sanitizer-compared-soap-is-dope

We are in the process of cancelling orientations and other events through the end of March. We will assess April events as they draw nearer. 

We will post updates on our website and on Facebook and Twitter as warranted. Those sources will also be good ways to keep in touch and to share more frequent updates as we confront this challenge together.

Read Aloud is still working, still active, still getting the message out to families about the importance of reading for fun, still working on book distribution projects. We hope you will safely continue to model good reading habits for the children in your lives.

If anyone arranges a new way to share their love of books with children without risking the spread of this virus, please let us know. Putnam County Library on Thursday announced it would move as many programs as possible to Facebook Live, for example. https://twitter.com/putnamlibrarywv

This glossary of terms is very helpful: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/science/coronavirus-terms-to-know.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

If the recommended social distancing threatens to turn into social isolation and is getting you down, here is some commiseration from the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/with-the-coronavirus-hell-is-no-other-people

If you are on social media, look us up. Let’s keep our distance, but not be isolated.

If not, give us a call or email. We can chat. Maybe we will come up with a new good idea.

Thank you again, and be safe,

Dawn Miller
Executive Director

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Thank you to all of our Read-A-Palooza 2020 donors and sponsors

by DonorsEventsFundraisingRead-a-Palooza

Read-A-Palooza 2020 was our biggest and best fundraising event to date. We had an amazing volunteer committee who helped us create a beautiful celebration of Read Aloud’s history and original founders, honoring the past leadership of Mary Kay Bond and looking to the future. We had scores of donors and supporters who purchased tickets and sent donations in Mary Kay’s honor. Even on a weeknight, 13 of our volunteer county chapters were represented, some traveling a great distance to attend. Twenty-six sponsors made this event possible, and they are listed below with links to their individual websites so you can learn more about them.

Signature Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

The Becker Family

Gold Sponsors

Kim & Greg Burton

William Maxwell Davis

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Ned & Barbara Rose

Juli Hatcher Mock

David & Susan Turnbull

Tom Heywood & Melody Simpson

Read Aloud would not be able to do the important work of motivating West Virginia students to read for fun without the support of local businesses, corporate sponsors, private foundations, and individual donors. As master of ceremonies Tom Tinder shared with the crowd at Read-A-Palooza, we serve 23% of PK-8th graders with an annual budget under $200,000. Every dollar given to Read Aloud is carefully and strategically spent to make the best impact on the children of West Virginia. As little as $100 can supply an entire class of students with high quality, high interest books to add to their home libraries.

That’s why we’d like to say a very special thank you to all of our donors and sponsors who have helped us to secure not only Read Aloud’s future, but the future of literacy in WV.

And for supporters who are still considering donating, it’s never too late! Any amount is significant. Even $5 can put a new book in the hands of a child to help them fall in love with reading.

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Advice for Read Aloud West Virginia volunteers regarding the coronavirus

by UncategorizedVolunteer Readers

As the new coronavirus spreads and cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed, Read Aloud West Virginia volunteers should continue to monitor developments and make good choices daily about whether to attend their weekly read aloud appointments.

At this writing, no West Virginia cases have been detected. However, projections by health officials suggest that it is only a matter of time. We don’t want to alarm anyone unnecessarily, but it is better to be safe than sorry. To help keep our volunteers, our schools and our communities as healthy as possible, we recommend:

1. Volunteers in the at-risk group of people — those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions — should plan to postpone in-person reading sessions until the danger is past. Please call or text teachers to let them know. For complete details on the virus, incubation periods, and at-risk groups, see the CDC’s web site, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

2. People over age 50 are at greater risk from this virus, health officials say. Volunteers in that category should also consider their own health and conditions in their schools, and choose what is best to minimize the spread of infection. Any volunteer who is uncomfortable visiting schools or being around groups for any reason should simply call/text their teachers and postpone until further notice.

3. Readers who do choose to continue visiting schools should practice good anti-flu hygiene (frequent and thorough handwashing) before and after visits. The CDC has more details about that. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html. The CDC and virologists say soap and water is preferred, but hand sanitizer is a good choice when soap and water is unavailable.

4. Keep distance in classrooms as much as possible. The CDC recommends keeping about six feet between people to minimize the spread of any respiratory illness. Many classes are accustomed to gathering closely on a rug or in a reading corner. If possible, discuss ahead of time with your teacher how to keep healthy by coughing and sneezing into tissues (that get thrown away) and by washing hands often, by not hugging and touching volunteers when they come into class, and by sitting farther apart at reading time.

5. Of course, if local health officials give different advice as conditions develop, or if schools or other gatherings are closed, Read Aloud volunteers will follow their directions.

Thank you for making time each week for the children in your community, and for all the other unofficial and unrecognized contributions you make to their lives. Please stay safe and healthy.

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10 to Try: Black History Month

by Book Reviews and RecommendationsBooksEnrichment IdeasPartnersReadingResourcesVolunteer Readers

Read Aloud teamed up with the YWCA Charleston Racial Justice Program to bring you ten children’s books to try for Black History Month. Whether you’re a classroom reader, a teacher, or a parent, these books are a great way to celebrate the rich culture of America and the lasting impact of leaders of color! We encourage you to not only use titles like this in honor of Black History Month, but to incorporate texts with diverse characters into your reading all twelve months of the year!

A huge thanks to the YWCA for pulling this compelling list of titles together.

If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold (Grades K -5)

Marcie, a young black girl on her way to school, gets picked up by a strange bus. She later finds out this is the famous “Rosa Parks bus”. This bus ride with Marcie will leave listeners interested and engaged in the rich history behind civil rights leader, Rosa Parks.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterfly (Grades PreK – 3)

Hidden Figures shares the story of four African American, female mathematicians working at NASA. While facing racial and gender bias, they prevailed by participating in some of NASA’s greatest achievements. This book features a local legend Katherine Goble Johnson, a native of West Virginia and a West Virginia State University alumna.

Be A King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford (Grades PreK – 3)

This dual narrative shares moments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, while also sharing the strong principles of equality he stood by. Students, performing a Dr. King inspired school project, learn about the adversity Dr. King faced and his hope for an equal society. This book encourages children to enact the principles of Dr. King’s legacy into their own lives.

Firebird by Misty Copeland (Grades PreK – 3)

Firebird showcases the story of a young dancer who is questioning her own ability. Misty Copeland, the first African American woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, uplifts this young protagonist by sharing her experiences.

What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld (Grades 3-7)

This book uplifts the stories of little-known African American inventors. What Color is My World honors the ingenuity and determination shown by these inventors to make our world a better place.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford (Grades 1-3)

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom is a poetic tribute to the strength and devotion of Harriet Tubman. Through prayerful dialogue, Harriet Tubman shows determination and perseverance to free her people.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o (Grades 1-3)

Sulwe is a heartwarming story that inspires children to see their own unique beauty. Sulwe has trouble accepting her darker skin, but she’s reminded that her skin is just as beautiful and valuable as lighter skin tones.

I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (Grades K and Up)

I Love My Hair is a story about a African American girl celebrating her beautiful natural hair. This imaginative book highlights the significance and versatility of African American Hair.

Mixed Me by Taye Diggs (Grades 1-3)

The main character, Mike, learns to embrace and celebrate his mixed racial heritage. This delightful, textured, fun-filled picture book takes on the questions children of mixed races face with humor and offers a strong, positive message of self-love. 

Same Difference by Calida Garcia Rawles (Grades 4-6)

This charming, upbeat books begs to be read aloud! Two cousins find themselves at odds over their physical appearance. This book reminds us that you can find beauty in any shade of brown and that we are much more alike after all.

Message from the YWCA Charleston Racial Justice Program

We hope that you love these books as much as we do! Thank you to Read Aloud West Virginia for this amazing opportunity. We would also like to thank our amazing Racial Justice Committee Members for suggesting such good reads. We hope that these books share important pieces of Black History and highlight the beauty of the black experience.

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Roofing company expands Summer Book Binge to Wood

by Book DistributionDonorsPartners

Wood County’s Jefferson Elementary School is getting its own Summer Book Binge and a Snuggle & Read event, thanks to a $20,600 grant from Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Company.

Read Aloud’s Summer Book Binge is based on research at Vanderbilt University that found about half a dozen freely chosen books given to students at the end of the school year was more effective at preventing summer learning loss than $3,000 worth of summer school.

Each of Jefferson’s 400 students will browse and “order” six books this spring, which will then be personalized, packed and delivered in a book bag at a festive event at the end of the school year.

Read Aloud’s Summer Book Binge was started at Crichton Elementary School in Greenbrier County, where reading scores jumped from the bottom in the county to the top in four years.

Children who have high-interest books and adults to make a big deal of reading for fun, will read for pleasure and maintain or even gain skills over the summer.