Yesterday, the library included bridge-crossing trolls and clever goats to celebrate Read Across America 2026. The read aloud became an engaging experience that brought the magic of literature to life for students.
We dove into the hilarious and suspenseful retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett. To make the "trip-trap" of the hooves and the grumbles of the troll even more real, we used Novel Effect. (Shout out to Lacey Librarian!) This app uses voice-recognition technology to play synchronized music and sound effects during the read aloud, turning the shared reading into a cinematic event.
The fun didn't stop when the book closed! Each student accessed a digital 1-pager to help them continue their reading journey. This resource includes direct links to some of our absolute favorite interactive read-aloud sites:
BookFlix: Where stories and non-fiction pair up for double the fun.
Storyline Online: Famous actors reading beloved picture books.
PebbleGo: Perfect for our curious researchers looking for animal facts.
Mackin’s Storyteller Spotlight: Engaging videos from the creators behind the books.
