Bedtime stories, a tradition in many families, are a great way to not only bond with your little ones and allow them to relax their mind, but it also stimulates their imagination and improves their literacy.
You can pick a book of your choice, snuggle up with your little ones and start reading together. You can even switch it up with an ebook or even stream a video of a storytelling session (which are even great when you have to wash the dishes in the afternoon and can’t sit and read with your kids)!
Here are 9 places where you can stream storytelling videos for your little ones!
1. World Book Day
Source: World Book Day
Under The Big Little Book Corner on World Book Day, you’ll be able to find not only resources for bookish activities, such as Spot the Difference and match the sound, but you’ll also find a series of video books, including classics like Goldilocks and The Three Bears. Additionally, Storytime Online has videos of famous authors and stars reading children’s books and short stories for kids of different ages.
2. HarperKids
Source: HarperKids/YouTube
The HarperKids YouTube page has book trailers, recipes for snacks inspired by books, talks with authors, and DIY activities, among others, in addition to story readings, which you find complied under the playlist ‘Storytime Read Aloud’. The playlist has more than 20 stories, from The Bold Brave Bunny to Romeosaurus and Juliet Rex. It looks like they’ve recently started adding to the playlist again every week, so you might have a steady supply of stories!
3. Brightly Storytime
Source: Brightly Storytime/YouTube
Brightly Storytime brings you full-length picture books read aloud by Ms. Linda, the storyteller every week. Their collection includes stories like The Bear Ate Your Sandwich, How Do Penguins Play?, and Kate, Who Tamed the Wind. If you’re looking for book recommendations, reading tips, inspiration for activities and more, you can check out Brightly, which was launched in partnership with Penguin Random House.
4. Mrs. P’s Magic Library
Source: Mrs. P/YouTube
Mrs. P’s Magic Library is stocked with free printables such as coloring sheets, activity guides, a guide to making your own books, as well as classic children’s stories brought to life by Mrs. P, played by TV star Kathy Kinney. Sitting on a couch by a fireplace, she narrates The Brothers Grimm & Their Lesser-known Stories, Hans Christian Anderson Favorites and many others.
5. KidLit TV
Source: KidLit TV
KidLit TV has a host of content that helps to kindle an interest in reading in children. On top of Read Out Loud series featuring storytime with authors, the KidLit TV Shows also includes series such as Young at Art wherein kids get to learn art skills used in children’s book illustrations, and In Studio, which follows the KLTV film crew as they visit artists’ studios around the world. Additionally, they also have podcasts, printable crafts and activities, as well as book trailers.
6. Barefoot Books
Source: Barefoot Books/YouTube
Barefoot Books is a publishing house based in the United States. On their website, you’ll be able to find free resources, such as Barefoot Storytime sessions, Animated singalongs and different themed at-home activity kits that you can download. Their storytelling sessions are generally on every Wednesday and Friday, you can find what to look out for on Barefoot Calendar and tune in to hear them live or check out their YouTube page.
7. Storyline Online
Source: Storyline Online/YouTube
Storyline Online is an award-winning children’s literacy website that features celebrated actors like Betty White, Elijah Wood, Lily Tomlin, Chris Pine, and Michelle Yeoh, reading children’s books accompanied animated illustrations. Each story reading comes together with the book-themed activity guide, featuring craft activities, experiments and offline games, among others.
8. BookTrust
Source: BookTrust/YouTube
BookTrust, UK’s largest children’s reading charity, has a trove of book recommendations, tips and advice for parents and carers, and resources to help develop a love of reading in little ones, including online games, book-themed quizzes and recipes, as well as classic children’s stories that kids can read along to or watch with signing. Additionally, they also have a collection of children’s books narrated by authors, actors and storytellers on their YouTube page. You can find them compiled in their Story Time playlist
9. Cressida Cowell
Source: Cressida Cowell/YouTube
Cressida Cowell, the author and illustrator of How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once, recently launched her YouTube page where she shares creativity tips, book recommendations and story writing ideas, in addition to book readings. You’ll be able to listen to Cressida Cowell read the Emily Brown picture books, How to Train Your Dragon and How to Be a Pirate (which just started recently).
