Resources
Explore links to illustrations and text you can use in your books, web sites of famous children's authors, and other helpful sources about a variety of related topics.
Note: These links were taken directly from Tips for Authors and Illustrators.
Author and Illustrator Tips | Children's Book Ideas | Fiction Story Elements | Free Text and Images | Finding Free Audio Files | Converting audio files to .mp3 format | Model Books | Nonfiction Text Structures | Reader's Theatre Scripts | Reading Comprehension Strategies | Text-to-Speech Tools | Universal Design for Learning
Author and Illustrator Tips
- Writing for Children, http://www.bethanyroberts.com/childrensbookauthors.htm#Writer%20Tips
- Story Writing Tips, http://www.coreygreen.com/storytips.html
- Illustrating Children's Books, http://www.underdown.org/illustrating-for-children.htm
Children's Book Ideas
- Reading A–Z: The Online Guided Reading Program, http://www.readinga-z.com
- Children's Literature Awards, http://www.norweld.lib.oh.us/ys/awards.htm
- Children's Book Awards, http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKbrown/awards.html
Fiction Story Elements
- Constructing Plot, http://www.learner.org/exhibits/literature/read/plot1.html
- Story Elements, http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html
Free Text and Images
- Free Text, http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/toolkits/tk_resources.cfm?tk_id=41
- Clipart Server, http://www.barrysclipart.com
- Pics4Learning, http://pics.tech4learning.com
- Clipart Gallery, http://school.discovery.com/clipart
- Free Photos, http://www.freeimages.co.uk
- Sound files and sound effects, http://www.webplaces.com/html/sounds.htm
- TheFreeSite.com: Free WAV Sound File Resources, http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/
- Search the Web for Sounds, http://www.findsounds.com
- Free Clip art, http://www.pdclipart.org
- Clker.com has royalty free clip art that is great for picture graphic symbols for adapting curriculum or creating communication boards.
- Free historical images, go to The Library of Congress' American Memory collection.
Finding Free Audio Files
- Pacific Digital Video is a small video development company offering over 100 sound effects for free download.
- Sound America is a comprehensive source of sound effects.
- Freebie List lists links for sound files in formats from MP3 to MIDI.
- http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/ is only .wav format. In order to use the .wav files with Book Builder, you will need to convert the .wav files to .mp3 file format. You can convert wav file to mp3 files, using the suggested free programs.
Converting audio files to .mp3 format
- Switch Audio File Converter for Windows (Free Version)
- A list of MP3 Converter Software
- Media-Convert
Model Books
- Tadpoles, a nonfiction picture book for emergent readers (grades K–1)
- Your Time Will Come, a picture book for young readers (grades 2–3)
- Snake and Eagle, a folktale for older readers (grades 4–5)
Nonfiction Text Structures
- Journey North Teacher's Manual, http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/ReadStrat7.html
- Content Literacy, http://www.literacymatters.org/content/text/intro.htm
Reader's Theatre Scripts
- Scripts for Schools, http://scriptsforschools.com
- Reader's Theatre Editions, http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html
- Reader's Theatre Scripts and Plays, http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm
Reading Comprehension Strategies
- Harvey, S., & Goudvis, A. (2000). Strategies that work. York, ME: Stenhouse. Available for purchase from http://www.stenhouse.com.
- Keene, E. O., & Zimmermann, S. (1997). Mosaic of thought. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Available for purchase from http://www.heinemann.com.
- Journey North Teacher's Manual, http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/ReadStrats_20Best.html
- Reading Comprehension, http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/compre.htm
- Reciprocal Teaching, http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at6lk38.htm
Text-to-Speech Tools
Free- Click Speak reads web pages that are opened in Firefox (download free at http://clickspeak.clcworld.net/downloads.html)
- HearIt (Free for Mac) available from: http://www.pure-mac.com/access.html#hearit
- Natural Reader reads web pages that are opened in Internet Explorer (download free at http://www.naturalreaders.com/download.htm)
- Speakonia (Free for PC) available from: http://www.download.com/Speakonia/3000-7239_4-10125329.html
Purchase
- Kurzweil 1000 (for blind readers) or Kurzweil 3000 (for struggling readers), both available from: https://store.cambiumlearning.com/Kurzweil/purchase_productlist.asp
- Read Out Loud is a text-to-speech tool reads most electronic file formats, available at Don Johnston: http://www.donjohnston.com/products/read_outloud/index.html
- ReadWriteGold is a fully comprehensible application toolbar, available from textHELP at http://www.synapseadaptive.com/texthelp/read&write_gold/read&write_gold_default.htm
Universal Design for Learning
- What is Universal Design for Learning?, http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html
- UDL Toolkits: Teaching Every Student, http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/toolkits/tk_introduction.cfm?tk_id=61
- Curriculum Access and Universal Design for Learning, http://ericec.org/digests/e586.html
