Lego fun at home!

The last Wednesday of the month has traditionally been LEGO Club Day at Pleasant Hills Public Library! Unfortunately the Library is still closed so we can't be together to build today.

 Below are some fun resources about LEGO's that you can explore at home.

For our younger friends, check out this awesome collection of LEGO DUPLO videos of favorite rhymes and songs. We particularly enjoyed "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Old MacDonald."

For older friends, check out the LEGO Kids Experience to play online games, watch LEGO videos, and learn about new Lego sets.

Did you know that you can get a FREE LEGO Life magazine subscription if you have children at home that are between 5 - 9 years old? This awesome quarterly magazine features comics, posters, activities, and much more! To learn more, please CLICK HERE.

Online book festivals!!!

If you've ever wanted to attend a book festival but didn't because it was too far away, cost too much, or wasn't feasible for whatever reason....

Now is your chance!!

BookExpo, the publishing industry's leading trade event, is going to be online this year from May 26 - 29 which means that everyone can attend for free!

Traditionally a place where booksellers, librarians, specialty retailers and national chains, publishers and tastemakers could come together, this move to a virtual presentation allows book lovers everywhere to come together to discover the latest titles, authors, technology, trends, and so much more! 

Running May 26 - 29, BookExpo Online will feature authors, experts, and publishing experts sharing their great work and ideas. The first day is full of educational sessions. Later sessions include Adult and Children's Book Dinners where literary giants and celebrity authors will join the conversation! (Here's your chance to hear Judy Blume talk!!!) Don't miss the BookExpo Buzz sessions (Adult, YA, and Middle Grade) to learn about exciting new titles! All the sessions will be on BookExpo's Facebook page so make sure to check it out! 

Click HERE for a complete sessions schedule.

BookCon, an event where storytelling and pop culture collide, is going virtual this year from May 30 - 31! BookConline will feature sessions with different authors and publishers to give you a first look at debut books and behind-the-scenes peek at some of your favorite titles! Plus there will be ARC giveaways, quizzes, trivia, and more fun yet to be announced! Sessions will be on BookCon's Facebook page so make sure to check it out! Don't forget to join the BookCon Official Facebook Group for the latest details.

Click HERE for a complete sessions schedule.

Want more? Check out this amazing list of virtual book related events!

EQT Children's Theater Festival @ HOME!

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it across the world. Schools have been moved to remote learning, libraries and other public institutions have closed their physical doors while throwing their virtual ones wide open, and events and festivals have been cancelled or postponed. It's easy to get discouraged with so much changing, but there's still lots of things to look forward to like the 34th annual EQT Children's Festival happening May 14 - 17, 2020!

The EQT Children's Theater Festival has decided that instead of cancelling this year, they're going to move their awesome annual festival online! They are working with featured performing artists, local artists and organizations, and more to bring us a re-imagined version of the festival that can enjoyed from anywhere! There will be digital engagement opportunities that amplifies the work of local organizations that are creating and distributing content for young audiences and their families! You can expect virtual learning activities, opportunities to engage with featured performing artists, special performances from local performers, and more fun surprises! The festival runs from May 14 - 17, 2020 but you can start the fun now with the Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt!

Click HERE to see a list of festival events!

Click HERE to learn more about the Frog Stop Scavenger Hunt!

The Library may be closed, but don't forgot about our digital resources!!

While our physical building is closed, we still offer tons of amazing educational and entertaining resources for YOU digitally! We offer access to hundreds of eBooks, eMagazines, music, audiobooks, videos, research databases, and more!!!

Don't have a library card? NO PROBLEM!
You can sign up for one ONLINE!
Click here for information on how.
Click here to sign up online!

Click here to visit Allegheny County's library eResources 

Click here to visit Allegheny County's KID eResources

Click here to visit Power Library, Pennsylvania's eResources

Click here to visit Power KIDS Library, PA electronic library for Kids

There are eResources for ALL ages, from small children up through senior citizens! 

Below is a list of some of Ms. Dani's favorite eResources for children.

*Please note that to access these digital resources, you may be asked for your library card number.* 

*If you encounter issues, please email us at pleasanthills@einetwork.net*

Read eBooks, listen to audiobooks, read magazines, and check out short videos using OverDrive and/or their app Libby. The app can be downloaded on most smart handheld devices and allows you access to hundreds of titles for all ages. Don't have a handheld device? Titles can also be accessed on a desktop computer as well.

Click HERE to access the KIDS page

Click HERE to access the TEENS page

Tumble Books offers video read-alouds of hundreds of educational and entertaining titles for children. They also offer a great selection of eBooks, graphic novels, language learning titles, online games and puzzles, and a math database. There's really something for all kids and teens! 

Click HERE to access Tumble Book Library

Scholastic has two great databases - BookFlix and TrueFlix. Both databases offer video read-alouds of titles based on theme or subject mater. BookFlix pairs a picture book with a non-fiction title. TrueFlix pairs an education video with a non-fiction title. Read and explore today!

Click HERE to access BookFlix

Click HERE to access TrueFlix

Little Pim, the child language learning database by Mango Languages, can help children learn over ten different languages! You will need to set-up a personal account using your library card number to access this valuable eResource.

Click HERE to access Little Pim

The above eResources are just a small selection of the amazing digital resources we offer!

 Check them out for yourself and let us know what you think!!

Click here for more information on eResources for Kids.

Click here for more information eResources for Teens.

Click here for more information on borrowing eBooks.

So many FREE resources from publishers!

Many publishers, both big and small, are posting educational content for FREE using social media AND on their websites. Check to see if the publisher of your favorite book is on the list!

Click HERE for a complete list of publishers, authors, and illustrators sharing resources.

HarperCollins Children’s Books is sharing daily story times, learning materials, and activities with readers via social media channels for different age groups. HarperKids is on Instagram for little readers, the YouTube channel Shelf Stuff is for middle grade readers, the Epic Reads Twitter feed is for teens, and HarperStacks—also on Twitter—has resources for educators, parents, and caregivers.

Simon & Schuster has many resources available on social media and for download on its website. There is an online hub for educators, booksellers, and librarians called The Book Pantry. In addition, Simon & Schuster authors are taking to social media to share readings and drawing lessons. Debbie Ridpath Ohi is teaching art lessons while fellow author Aaron Reynolds has started “The Aaron Reynolds Stay-At-Home Show,” both on YouTube.

HMH Books for Young Readers is creating free activity guides, coloring pages, and videos by authors and illustrators—including Kwame Alexander, Chloe Bristol, Lois Lowry, Lori Mortenson, and Kim Smith—which are e-mailed each week to support families and educators. Along with the e-newsletter, the HMH Books for Young Readers Resource Library contains free downloads and content.

DK’s new Stay Home Hub is a dedicated website that includes activity packs and coloring sheets for children. In addition, DK is encouraging children and educators to turn to DKfindout!.com, an encyclopedic platform where children, parents, and educators can explore subjects in-depth and use them for online classes.

Above are just a few of the publishers participating. Click HERE for a complete list of publishers, authors, and illustrators sharing resources. This list, curated by Publisher's Weekly, is updated frequently so make sure to check back.

Virtual Storytime links

Ms. Dani is hard at work getting some virtual storytimes planned and prepped for you! We hope to go LIVE on Facebook next week at 1:30 pm Monday - Friday (March 30 - April 3, 2020). 

In the meantime, please check out some of these amazing online resources of celebrities, astronauts, and authors reading aloud just for you!!

Storyline Online offers a huge selection of celebrities reading a wide variety of amazing books. The illustrations are often animated, making for a fun video read-aloud experience! 

https://www.storylineonline.net/

Story Time From Space features astronauts currently in orbit on the International Space Station. While in space, the astronauts film themselves reading books to the children of Earth. These videos are then edited and placed under the "Story Time Videos" tab on their website. This website also includes other educational activities, experiments, and demonstrations. Definitely worth checking out!

https://storytimefromspace.com/

#OperationStorytime is a growing movement of authors reading their books on various platforms and sharing with you. This list is not exhaustive so make sure to search your favorite social media outlet for more! For example, Oliver Jeffers (one of Ms. Dani's favorites!) isn't on this list but can be found on Instagram Live. While many of these are live recordings, many of the authors are leaving them up on their pages for a period of time or posting them to their websites. 

https://coolprogeny.com/2020/03/operation-storytime/?fbclid=IwAR0EsIB5W0NTQz5iWArRqvwjdqSe1vvvcdjrAXEWyD80kpCNg4tuBZR73NI

**We'll update again soon with more!**