The library will be closed at all locations at the following times: Tuesday, December 24th at 12pmWednesday, December 25th, all dayTuesday, December 31st at 2pmWednesday, January 1st, 2025, all dayThe library's temporary locations are at the Beech Street Center and the E.C. Benton Library. For more information, including hours of operation, please click here.
Instructions: Once you click on one of the categories, you are able to see the different sections that fall under it.
Click on the section you are interested in to see the virtual display of some of the titles we have at the library.
Use the arrows on the left and right of the slides to toggle between them in order to browse all of the items.
If interested in a title, simply click on the cover and you will be brought to its place in our catalog where you can then request the item if you wish as well as learn more about it.
The Virtual Library will be updated periodically so you can come back and check out what new books we have added to our collection. Stay tuned for new sections in the future!
The Belmont Library Children’s and Reference staff has worked hard to create a list of fun and helpful resources for you and your family to enjoy, for homeschooling or just for fun.
Enjoy drawing lessons from authors, live streams from the New England Aquarium, math curriculum, and much more.
Grace Lin — Videos for Kids —https://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=videos Content: Books Read Aloud and Drawing Lessons from the bestselling author of the Pacy Lin series and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon among many others Audience: Upper Preschool, Elementary
Grace Lin Podcast — Kids Ask Authors —https://www.kidsaskauthors.com/ Content: Authors answer all kinds of questions from kids, as well as recommending books and telling jokes. Audience: Elementary
At Home with Kwame Alexander — http://athomewithkwame.com Content: Kid favorite bestselling author of The Crossover, Booked, and many others presents lessons on poetry, writing, and illustrating. Audience: Elementary and Middle School
Write with Kate DiCamillo — https://www.facebook.com/KateDiCamillo/ Content: The charming bestselling author of Because of Winn Dixie, Tale of Despereaux, and many others teaches Lessons on how to write creatively Audience: Elementary
Kate Messner — Ranger in Time Book Club — https://www.katemessner.com/the-ranger-in-time-book-club/ Content: Bestselling author Kate Messner reads two new chapters a week from her book Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail. This is a great series for anyone who loves dogs, history, and time travel all in one place! Audience: Elementary/All who love dogs and adventure
Harry Potter Read Aloud — https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home Content: Hear chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone read aloud by surprise guests including Daniel Radcliffe. Audience: Harry Potter fans of all ages
Jason Reynolds — Write. Right. Rite Series — https://guides.loc.gov/jason-reynolds/grab-the-mic/wrr Content: Learn how to right with an authentic voice with Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of the Track series and many more. Videos will be posted biweekly. Audience: Elementary and Middle School
Magic Tree House Home Adventures – https://www.magictreehouse.com/go/ Content: Read, explore, cook, do trivia and have fun with Jack and Annie and creator Mary Pope Osborne with new content every week from now until May 22nd. Audience: Ages 7 and up, or for Magic Tree House fans of all ages.
Everyday Activities w/ Author
Draw Every Day with JJK (Jarret Krosoczka) — Weekdays at 2:00
Content: Learn how to draw with the author and artist behind the Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy: A New Class series, as well as the award winning memoir Hey Kiddo. Audience: Elementary, Middle School
Daily Read Aloud with Oliver Jeffers — Weekdays at 2pm on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oliverjeffers/ Content: The author and illustrator of Stuck, Lost and Found, and many others reads his award winning books. Audience: Elementary
Daily Read Aloud with Peter Reynolds — Weekdays at 12pm on Facebook Content: Get some daily inspiration and joy with the author and illustrator of The Dot, Ish, and many others. Audience: Elementary
Mac Barnett’s Book Club Show — Weekdays at 3pm EST on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/macbarnett/ Content: Tune in to daily videos from the hilarious author behind Guess Again?, Square, and many more. Audience: Elementary
Mac Barnett’s Book Club Show: Chapter Books After Dark — Weekdays at 8pm EST on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/macbarnett/ Content: Mac Barnett, and his dog Henry read chapters outloud from his hilarious bestselling adventure series, Mac B: Kid Spy. Audience: Elementary
Read Aloud with Dan Gutman on Facebook — Weekdays at 2:00 — https://tinyurl.com/qrbuuyy Content: The hilarious author of the My Weird School series will read a chapter a day from his popular series. No account necessary. Audience: Elementary
YouTube Channels featuring Read Alouds, Drawing Lessons, Music, and more
Storyplace: The Children’s Digital Learning Place Library — https://www.storyplace.org/front Content: Interactive stories and games related to a large variety of themes. Audience: Toddler and Preschool
Read Along with Michelle Obama — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyhgubvRYF4 Content: Former First Lady Michelle Obama reads favorite picture books outloud including The Gruffalo, There’s a Dragon in your Book, and more. Audience: Toddler and Preschool
Emily Hall Videos (Music with Emily) — https://musicwithemily.com/tagged/watch Live Music Classes — Facebook.com/musicwithemily1 Content: Music from teacher and local favorite Emily Hall. Active originals and fun versions of favorites. Audience: Toddler/Preschool
Mad Science at Home Activities — https://www.madsciencepromo.com/athomeexperiments Content: Science experiments and demos from Belmont’s local science and fun experts. Audience: Preschool/Elementary
Stay School from Our Friends at Watertown Family Network — https://wpsearlychildhoodcommunity.weebly.com/ Content: At home activities from the group that brings the Belmont Library its weekly playgroups; program offered through the CFCE Grant, and administered by the Watertown Public Schools, and funded by a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care. Audience: Toddler/Preschool
Virtual Fiestas with Rockabye Beats — https://www.facebook.com/rockabyebeats/ Content: Have an at home party with Marcos Valles and his friends! We love having Marcos visit the Belmont Library, and now you can experience the fun of his concerts and learn about music right form home. Audience: Toddler/Preschool
Make a Puppet Show from Author David Hyde Costello and the Palmer Public Library — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8VkarnIobwJQLU3IBwKMg Content: Brought to us by the Palmer Public Library, author and artist David Hyde Costello shows us how to make our own puppet stage and theater and even lets kids decide what will happen in the show. Audience: All Ages
Toe Jam Puppet Band —https://www.facebook.com/pg/toejampuppetband/posts/ Content: Draw with Mr. Vinny and sing along to favorite songs with at home activities from this Massachusetts favorite comedic musicians and performers. Audience: Preschool/Early Elementary
Henry Frost Children’s Program Morning Meetings — https://www.facebook.com/henryfrostprogram/ Content: Enjoy virtual preschool activities from Belmont’s own Teacher Iris and Teacher Claire. Mondays through Fridays at 9:00 and 11:00. Audience: Preschool Note: Participation requires a Facebook account
Sesame Street in Communities — https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/ Content: Games, lessons, activities, and resources for educators and parents to help young children learn a variety of topics ranging from handwashing to getting along with siblings to handling change. Also includes difficult topics such as addiction and grieving. Audience: Parents/Caregivers of Toddlers and Preschoolers
Daniel Tiger’s Managing and Expressing Feelings — https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/managing-expressing-feelings/ Content: Navigate some tough feelings and issues with the help of PBS’ Daniel Tiger and his friends. Audience: Preschoolers and their Caregivers See More Lessons from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood — https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/daniel-tigers-neighborhood/
Lakeshore Learning Free Online Resources — https://tinyurl.com/wyxpbeb Content: Educational toy store Lakeshore Learning has created a space for many free lesson plans, worksheets, craft ideas and more. Please note that while these resources are free, Lakeshore Learning is a for profit toy store. Audience: All Ages
Wonderopolis — https://www.wonderopolis.org/ Content: What is a mangrove? Who was Soujourner Truth? Whatever it is that you are wondering about, Wonderopolis will provide the answers through reading and activities. Audience: Grades 1 and Up
Audible Stories: Free Audiobooks from Audible.com and Amazon — https://stories.audible.com/start-listen Content: Listen to free audiobooks for kids, as well as adults, with content ranging from Winnie the Pooh to Minecraft. While this service is provided by Amazon, no log-in or purchase is required. Audience: All Ages Tongue Twister Database from the British Council — For Fun and to Help with Speech Exercises — http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/tongue-twisters Content: From eleven elves licking liquorice lollipops to Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, have fun with language and practice speech. Audience: All Ages
Reading Rockets — Launching Young Readers —https://www.readingrockets.org Content: Teachers explain different reading strategies, lessons, and exercises to help children learn to read and connect with literature. Audience: For parents and caregivers of children of all ages.
Spanish Children’s Stories — https://www.thespanishexperiment.com/stories Content: Listen to classic fairy tales in Spanish, watch animated versions, and translate the stories into English. Be sure to also check out the free Spanish language lessons. Audience: Preschool/Early Elementary
Zoom with Watertown Family Network’s Spanish Speaking Playgroup — https://wpsearlychildhoodcommunity.weebly.com/ Content: Join Watertown Family Network’s Spanish speaking playgroup virtually every Friday at 10:30. In order to join, please email [email protected]for a link to the Zoom session. Audience: Toddler and Preschool
Powers Music School — https://www.facebook.com/powersmusicschool Content: View virtual concerts and music class options for preschoolers from the remarkable Powers Music School. Audience: All Ages
At Home Resources from Garth Prince — https://garthprince.com/resources.html Content: Want to learn about music AND be active at the same time? Edmonton based musician Garth Prince shows us how. This musician and teacher is recommended by our own Rubi Lichauco from our wonderful Music and Movement with Rubi program! Audience: Upper Preschool/Elementary
Jam with Jamie — Our Virtual World — https://jamwithjamie.com/virtual-jam-sessions/ Content: Free concerts and performances in many musical styles. Even includes a special guest appearance from Laurie Berkner! Audience: Toddler and Preschool
Metropolitan Opera Nightly Opera Stream — https://www.metopera.org/nightly-opera-stream/ Content: Streaming performances of the many amazing works of New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Performances are available for 24 hours after each airing. Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Adults (and all who are music lovers).
Complete Schoolhouse Rock Series Videos —https://tinyurl.com/sp5b9rl Content: From “Conjunction Junction”, to “I’m Just a Bill”, your kids will sing along and learn at the same time to the classic content from Schoolhouse Rock. Audience: Elementary, Middle School, Grown Ups of all Ages
Alvin Ailey All Access Dance —https://www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access Content: New York City’s groundbreaking, world famous dance troop is offering access to free online classes and dance performances in honor of the 62nd anniversary of their first performance. Audience: All Ages
Science
NASA Images and Sound Search — https://images.nasa.gov/ Content: A library of the amazing, one of a kind photos and sounds from space. Audience: Elementary/Anyone Interested in Space
Skype a Scientist –https://www.skypeascientist.com Content: Do you and your family have a question for a chemist? Or a microbiologist? Or someone representing any number of scientific fields? Use this sight to arrange for a Skype session with a real scientist. Audience: All Ages
Mommy Poppins — 63 Easy Science Experiments Using Household Products —https://tinyurl.com/qo7kylr Content: Want to make ice cream in a bag? Or butter? Or make some slime? Find it all in one convenient place. Audience: All Ages
Bedtime Math at Home — http://bedtimemath.org/fun-math-at-home/ Content: Math doesn’t have to be hard work. Bedtime Math offers fun, relaxing activities that make math seamlessly come into your daily routine. Audience: Grades 1 and Up
Geography
Seterra — https://online.seterra.com/en Content: Test your map knowledge! Take quizzes on maps from all over the world and try to beat your scores, learn capitals, and physical features of regions around the globe. Audience: Elementary and Middle School
Mindfulness/Meditation
Mind Yeti — https://youtu.be/j8sYqsD2WZQ Content: Free short videos encouraging children and their caregivers to relax and keep their thoughts calm. Audience: All Ages
San Diego Zoo Live Cams — https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos Content: Want to see the way a baboon behaves? Or a rare condor, elephant or giraffe? Connect to the San Diego Zoo’s live streams of those animals and more and observe something amazing. Audience: All Ages
MetKids — https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/ Content: Want to see the most kid friendly, exciting parts of the Metropolitan Museum? Or get behind the scenes looks at the museum exhibits? Check out these resources just for kids. Audience: Elementary
Activities from Children’s Museums Around the Country — https://tinyurl.com/s98zmsd Content: The Boston Children’s Museum is wonderful but why stop there? Check out these up to date activities and resources from children’s museums all over the U.S. Audience: All Ages
Virtual Tours of Museums Around the World Content: Travel and visit these famous museums from around the world without leaving your house. Examine great pieces of art and use Google Arts and Culture to walk around the museum. Audience: All Ages
Virtual Disney World Rides — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyJUEtYv-ZW7BgjhP3UbTg Content: We may not be able to go to Disney Parks, but we can pretend that we are going on the rides with the help of these videos. Audience: All Ages
America’s Test Kitchen Kids: Kitchen Classroom — https://www.americastestkitchen.com/kids/activities/kitchen-classroom Content: Have fun in the kitchen with your family! Each week, Kitchen Classroom provides recipes, experiments, activities, and quizzes that you and your family can do. Audience: All Ages
Ballet Class with Tiler Peck — Weekdays at 1pm EST on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tilerpeck/ Content: Join Tiler Peck, a principal dancer of the New York Ballet, as she teaches ballet from her home! Keep in mind you must have an Instagram account to access Tiler’s livestream of the class Audience: Anyone interested in ballet (or dance)
The library is open but sometimes you want personalized recommendations in advance – that’s where we come in!
Fill out this form and a librarian will get back to you shortly with recommendations tailored to your child’s interests, age, and favorite kinds of stories.
