Summertime Reading Tips in the Digital Age
“I’m bored!” What parent or caregiver doesn’t dread hearing those words?
Whether it’s too hot to play outside or pouring rain, Gail Garthwait of the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development has some tips about summer reading in the digital age that can alleviate the boring times for youngsters.
The magical world of books can take young readers miles, continents or even worlds away, she says. “Before parents shrug off the idea that books wouldn’t be interesting to their hyper-connected children, they should check out the many available online options that allow the beauty of stories to be delivered digitally,” says Garthwait, associate professor in instructional technology.
While librarians still love to recommend fiction and nonfiction books to children and teens, they, too, have magic up their sleeves, Garthwait says. So, here are a few options:
– Maine Libraries InfoNet offers Maine citizens the ability to check out e-books and audio books. It takes only a few minutes to set up the Overdrive Media Console, and it’s available for both PC and Mac users with a valid Maine library card, she says.
– Get excited about a favorite author or illustrator by visiting his or her website or fan club. J. K. Rowling, Roald Dahl, and Eric Carle have interactive sites. Popular author-illustrators Patricia Polacco and Jan Brett offer bountiful downloadable materials. Listen to an NPR interview with Brian Selznick, the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Or, popular nonfiction science writer Seymour Simon’s website displays a rotating set of questions and answers, offers a science blog and dictionary, as well as providing resources for teachers and parents.
– Help a child respond to a favorite book using digital storytelling or blogging. Children can translate a book journal into a blog. Many websites are available to help young readers select a book to read
– Check out public domain classics that can be read free on any device that handles text or PDF files. Digital book readers such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo or Sony Reader have come down in price, but readers also can access books on a many different mobile devices.
“So, ‘I’m bored!’ can quickly change to ‘Look what I found!’ with the flick of a finger,” says Garthwait.
Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756