First Lady Britainy Beshear announced on Thursday that TeachingBooks is now available and free to use at all Kentucky schools and libraries throughout the state, as well as online from a laptop or cellphone, providing learning resources of about 100,000 books for children and young adults.
“Reading to children, either in the classroom or in our public libraries, is one of my favorite things to do,” she said. “On my visits around the state, I’ve learned that teachers, librarians and families are always looking for ways to bring stories to life for their kids, just like Andy and I loved to do for Will and Lila. That’s exactly what TeachingBooks is all about.”
She also shared “Winnie’s Christmas Book Club,” named after the Beshears’ dog, which is a list of picture books that would make great gifts for Kentucky kids this Christmas season. These include holiday books, Kentucky books and some of the Beshear family’s all-time favorite stories. They are all featured on TeachingBooks here, with book cover jigsaw puzzles, videos, discussion questions and more.
The First Lady also encouraged buying from local bookstores and supporting Kentucky authors when shopping.
“There is no gift more magical for our kids than the gift of reading – opening up a world of opportunity and imagination,” said Beshear. “A book from Winnie’s list would make the perfect present for any young Kentuckian. These stories feature our Commonwealth’s rich heritage, teach important lessons and spread holiday cheer. Give a Kentucky book to a Kentucky child this year.”
This isn’t the first time Kentucky’s First Dog, Winnie, has jumped in to help Kentucky children learn. The Beshears have released two coloring books featuring Winnie, “Winnie Tours the Kentucky State Capitol” and “Winnie Goes on a Kentucky State Parks Adventure.” Both are available for download.
To access TeachingBooks, go to TeachingBooks.net, enter a favorite book, series, author or subject in the search box, and begin exploring! Public libraries that wish to initiate customized access for their library should visit TeachingBooks.net/KYSetup. For questions about TeachingBooks, call 800-596-0710 (option 2) or email accounts@TeachingBooks.net.
Statewide TeachingBooks access is provided using existing agency funds from the Library Services Division of the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives and is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Photo by Tom Latek - Kentucky Today
