eBooks and Databases for Library/Classroom Alignment

How Can I Best Use eBooks to Assist Classroom Teachers?
Educators find that pairing print and eBooks actually enhances literacy skills in the youngest

READ THE RESEARCH  HERE

Gumdrop offers both Databases and eBooks that can be easily aligned to classroom research needs.

Click Here for Complete eBook Information

All Gumdrop eBooks are:

Unlimited Multi-User
Unlimited Simultaneous Use
Compatible with any device
Subscription-free with a 5-Year License

Are you thinking about subscribing to a database,
but are balking at the cost – or at being limited to one publisher’s books?
Consider building your own database with Gumdrop Scan-n-Go Discovery –
an inexpensive option that gives your students easy access to the research books that YOU SELECT!
Build a selection of eBooks in just the subjects you need – Carers, Animals, Science, Social Studies…

Opening an eBook has never been so easy! With our QR cards, patrons simply scan a QR code with their device and they can get right into the eBook!
When you obtain eBooks from Gumdrop Books, you have this option for your library.

Also, DJWBookworm will assist you to select appropriate books by subject!
Contact David White ([email protected]) – I’ll help you select,
and where possible share samples with you to aid in your decision.

[email protected]

 

Enhancing Emergent Literacy Skills

Enhancing Emergent Literacy Skills: The Power of Paired Print & eBooks in
Early and Primary Education

Kathleen Donchak, PhD

GB Classroom Solutions

Introduction: eBooks as Transformative Tools for Literacy
In early childhood and primary education classrooms, emergent literacy skills are foundational to
a child’s reading and writing success. eBooks emerge as transformative tools, offering diverse
benefits to enhance literacy among young learners. Recognizing parents’ pivotal role in
reinforcing literacy outside the classroom, this article also focuses on ways to support them in
understanding how eBooks can be a valuable complement to traditional print books. Through
exploring recent eBook research, we emphasize the unique role of digital reading in literacy
development and provide actionable insights for educators, librarians, and parents alike. We
delve into strategies for addressing common concerns about screen time and digital content, and
highlight the advantages of incorporating eBooks into daily reading routines. By offering
guidance on selecting quality eBooks, suggesting effective ways to engage with digital texts, and
outlining methods to balance screen-based reading with print books, we aim to equip parents
with the knowledge and tools to confidently incorporate eBooks into their children’s literacy
development. This holistic approach seeks to create a collaborative literacy support network,
uniting educators, librarians, and parents in the shared goal of fostering proficient, enthusiastic
young readers.

Research Highlights: The Impact of eBooks on Literacy Development
A pivotal 2021 study conducted by López-Escribano, Valverde-Montesino, and García-Ortega
analyzed the outcomes of 14 randomized controlled trials to evaluate the influence of eBooks on
emergent literacy skills. This comprehensive review compared the efficacy of eBook
interventions against traditional print reading practices and non-enhanced digital formats. The
study’s findings were illuminating: eBooks were shown to significantly enhance phonological
awareness and vocabulary among young readers. More notably, eBooks were found to be equally
effective, if not superior, in fostering literacy skills when compared to traditional books, and they
outpaced the literacy development achieved through standard school programming.
The study further highlighted the distinct advantages of enhanced eBooks, which incorporate
interactive and multimedia features. These digital books not only captivate children’s interest but
also deepen their engagement with the material, facilitating a richer learning experience. The
evidence from this research advocates for the strategic inclusion of eBooks in literacy programs,
positioned as complementary resources alongside print books. This approach leverages the
unique benefits of digital reading—particularly the interactive elements that engage young
learners—reinforcing the indispensable role of eBooks in modern literacy education.

Deep Dive: Enhancing Literacy with eBooks
Interactive eBooks represent a dynamic intersection of learning and entertainment, making them
a critical asset in developing emergent literacy skills for young learners. Through the
incorporation of animations, interactive elements, games, and audio support, these digital books
significantly boost print awareness, phonological awareness, vocabulary, and narrative skills. By
offering diverse and inclusive content through interactive storytelling, eBooks facilitate literacy
experiences that are not only engaging but also accessible to a wide range of learners. For
educators, librarians, and parents, understanding how to effectively integrate these tools into
children’s reading routines is essential for creating a rich, multifaceted literacy environment.
Expanding Evidence: The Effectiveness of eBook Interventions
The value of eBooks in literacy development is further supported by extensive research and
meta-analyses. Studies drawing comparisons between digital and print reading experiences
highlight the positive effects of eBooks on vocabulary acquisition, story comprehension, and the
long-term retention of literacy skills. Such findings underscore eBooks as indispensable tools in
the literacy toolkit for young readers. As educators and librarians, recognizing the potential of
digital reading interventions means embracing eBooks as a means to complement traditional
print resources, thereby enhancing the overall literacy learning journey.

Integrating eBooks with Print: Strategies for Balance
Achieving a harmonious balance between eBooks and print books is crucial for enriching
literacy instruction. Key strategies include the selection of complementary or paired eBooks and
print books, which not only provide varied reading experiences but also cater to multimodal
learning preferences. Opting for titles available in both formats can offer continuous learning
opportunities and address the current challenges of teacher shortages and the decreased
availability of reading specialists in educational settings. For educators, librarians, and parents,
these approaches facilitate a comprehensive literacy framework that leverages the unique
benefits of each format, ensuring a diverse and robust support system for developing emergent
literacy skills.

Parental Concerns and Its Impact of Digital Reading on Emergent Literacy Skills
Addressing parental concerns about screen time and the impact of digital reading on emergent
literacy skills requires a nuanced understanding of the complementary roles of eBooks and print
books in fostering language-rich interactions between parents and children. eBooks offer unique
advantages by engaging young readers with interactive features that promote literacy skills such
as phonological awareness and vocabulary development. These digital tools allow children to
explore and learn independently, offering a form of scaffolding comparable to adult support,
which is particularly beneficial during times when adult guidance is limited, as seen during the
recent pandemic. This independence can help mitigate the challenges of reduced adult
availability for story reading, ensuring that literacy development continues unabated.
Conversely, the tactile and interactive nature of print books fosters a different kind of
engagement. Anecdotal evidence from parents suggests that children tend to prefer, enjoy, and
engage more deeply with traditional books, leading to richer conversations about the story. The
potential for distraction with eBooks’ interactive elements—such as tapping hotspots for sounds
and animations—can sometimes detract from the narrative focus, emphasizing the importance of
guided digital reading experiences.

Recognizing these challenges, the availability of paired print and digital books emerges as a
strategic solution to support emergent literacy skills effectively. By offering both formats, parents
can leverage the strengths of each medium based on the context and their child’s needs. While
eBooks can provide valuable independent learning opportunities and engage children in
innovative ways, print books remain indispensable for fostering deep, interactive reading
sessions characterized by discussion and storytelling. This dual approach not only accommodates
diverse parental beliefs and preferences regarding screen time but also ensures a balanced and
rich literacy environment for young learners.

Conclusion
Integrating eBooks into literacy programs promises a dynamic, inclusive learning environment
for all children. Let’s harness technology’s power to foster the next generation’s literacy.

Additional Resources
López-Escribano, C.; Valverde-Montesino, S.; García-Ortega, V. The Impact of E-Book Reading
on Young Children’s Emergent Literacy Skills: An Analytical Review. Int. J. Environ. Res.
Public Health 2021, 18, 6510.
Korat, O.; Falk, Y. Ten Years After: Revisiting the Question of E-Book Quality as Early
Language and Literacy Support. J. Early Child. Lit. 2017, 19, 206–223.
Ihmeideh, F. The Effect of Electronic Books on Enhancing Emergent Literacy Skills of
Pre-School Children. Comput. Educ. 2014, 79, 40–48.
Kucirkova, N., & Flewitt, R. (2020). Understanding parents’ conflicting beliefs about children’s
digital book reading. Literacy, 54(2), 101-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798420930361

The Little Regent – Yewande Daniel Ayowade & Ken Daley

The Little Regent” is a wonderful new picture book with the flavors of both Aesop and Hans Christain Andersen. What I mean is – while the tale is set in modern Africa, there is a lot to be learned by implementing both fairy tale and a fable with a viable moral. I’m including this with my nonfiction list, as I believe it has great value.

Abioye is the eight-year-old princess of an African tribe, and becomes regent upon the death of her father, the king. And she remembers her father’s words: “Those who rule must first learn to serve.” So, while she awaits the decision of the tribal chieftains on who will succeed her father as king, she uses her newfound power to improve the lives of her subjects. She actually listens to them! And she makes improvements – that in turn improves their day-to-day lives. In the end, she becomes King.

It’s refreshing to me to find a beautifully illustrated picture book with a deeper meaning lying just below the surface. For those of us who remember politicians who “feel our pain,” Abioye’s wisdom is a pleasant reminder of how power can be used to help folks!

This book will make a great storytime readaloud, especially in multicultural settings. Check it out! And check out our excellent bookshop.org pricing…

The Other Pandemic: An AIDS Memoir

Told in a manner and from a perspective only possible by a gay man, this fascinating book manages to make several valid points. 

The first is the perspective of being in the midst of a pandemic that no one understood at the time. While society was beginning to come to grips with the gay lifestyle, the AIDS epidemic took hold and destroyed the lives of not only gay people, but also innocent family members and others infected through transfusion or poor decision making. 

Beyond that, this book touches on comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic – the lack of appropriate governmental response; the emergence of misinformation; the lack of societal understanding.

Above and beyond, this is a very well-written memoir. It is thoroughly appropriate for mature readers as well as giving excellent background for research.

 

Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy and the American Experiment

Wow! This is on my “must read list!”

I have long been a sucker for books about Lincoln and his actions as president during America’s most dangerous period. And even though I’ve always felt that he was a man of his time, holding the same prejudices and beliefs as most Americans – he was also a visionary, able to see past the normal biases of his time. Who knows what he could have accomplished in his second term? This book moves beyond Lincoln’s actions to his beliefs.

In his forward, Allen Guelzo, one of our finest historians, takes pains to note that his work is published in another time of great risk to our country – our treasured democracy. I’m fascinated by the title “Our Ancient Faith.” As with most of Guelzo’s books concerning Lincoln, the title is a mirror of a Lincoln quote. Six years before the Civil War, Lincoln’s Peoria Illinois speech in opposition to the Kansas -Nebraska Act states what must be fairly obvious – if slaves are actually people, then there are no economic or social beliefs that could possibly support slavery. “Our Ancient Faith” is democracy itself. Slavery is immoral because people are not animals – and they possess the natural rights of all men. 

Please take a look! This is an excellent addition to any library!

 

Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure

So… this book has been around for a long, long time. 15 years, to be exact. Why would I even take the time to recommend this book?

One of the major reasons that I began this blog is to open minds to narrative nonfiction. This is a book that is very much central to libraries in the state of Missouri, where I live and write. But what makes this title important, beyond its location?

Can you imagine any of our recent presidents packing his old lady in the car and taking a road trip across the country? (Sorry Bees.) Harry and Bess decided to visit relatives in the east, and without the benefit of Secret Service protection, spent weeks traveling, meeting folks, eating in restaurants and surprising the locals in states between Missouri and the Atlantic Ocean. How unusual. How quaint. How absolutely American.

Just from my own perspective, this is a wonderful book to keep in a midwestern library, and an excellent choice for teachers to use to teach generational change. Do you own this book, or have it in your library? Give it a chance!

NEWEST PAPERBACKS for Children and Young Adults – by the month

Many people – librarians, parents and kids – will benefit from lists of newly published paperback books!
These lists of brand-new paperback books will ship through DJWBookworm’s internet affiliate, Bookshop.org. 
Books listed as “Add to Cart” ship within 2 days! All books will be published in the month indicated.

Are you a library? Request tax-free status from Bookshop.org – CLICK HERE

MARCH 2024

Children Ages 5-8

See Book List    Fiction

See Book List    Nonfiction

See Book List    Graphic Novels

Children Ages 9-12

See Book List    Fiction

See Book List    Nonfiction

See Book List    Graphic Novels

Middle School 

See Book List    Fiction

See Book List    Nonfiction

See Book List    Graphic Novels

Young Adult

See Book List    Fiction

See Book List    Nonfiction

See Book List   Graphic Novels

2024 Summer Reading Program – “Adventures”

2024 Summer Reading Program
Gumdrop Books and DJWBookworm present books for the 2024 Summer Reading Program – “Libraries: the Gateway to Adventures”

Gumdrop Books – Libraries: the Gateway to Adventure
Log in to Gumdrop Books, then click on the pics below to view our lists


DJWBookworm and Bookshop.org
Graded and leveled bibliographies of the books recommended for “Adventures”
(All items on these lists are processed and shipped through Bookshop.org)
Are you a library? Request tax-free status from Bookshop.org – CLICK HERE

ADVENTURES 
Early Literacy Picture Books
See Book List    for Babies
See Book List    for Babies, in Spanish
See Book List    for Toddlers
See Book List    for Toddlers, in Spanish
See Book List    for Preschoolers
See Book List    for Preschoolers, in Spanish

Picture Books, Ages 5+
See Book List    Fiction
See Book List    Fiction, in Spanish
See Book List    Nonfiction

Early Readers
See Book List    Fiction
See Book List    Fiction, in Spanish
See Book List    Nonfiction

Middle Grades
See Book List    Fiction
See Book List    Fiction, in Spanish
See Book List    Nonfiction

Young Adult
See Book List    Fiction

See Book List    Fiction, in Spanish
See Book List    Nonfiction

 

Missouri “Dogwood Award” Titles

For the past several years the Missouri Association of School Librarians has sponsored an unusual new award – the “Dogwood Readers Award,” which attempts an unusual service, long ignored. These are recommended lists of nonfiction books for school libraries. I believe that this is a real service to all libraries, and those lists can be found right here on DJWBookworm!

They are:

2024 Dogwood Nonfiction Award List (K-2)

2024 Dogwood Nonfiction Award List (3-5)

2024 Dogwood Nonfiction Award List (6-8)

2024 Dogwood Nonfiction Award List (9-12)

The Wormhole Blog


 The Wormhole…
A blog of selected books promoting nonfiction for readers of all ages
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What’s this all about?

What’s this all about?

Is a puzzlement!                                   ...
Read More
A Good Place to Start

A Good Place to Start

A Good Place to Start! Many librarians will tell you that kids stop reading nonfiction books sometime during the middle...
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Kids' Nonfiction Recommendations

The Little Regent – Yewande Daniel Ayowade & Ken Daley

Nonfiction for Kids
The Little Regent" is a wonderful new picture book with the flavors of both Aesop and Hans Christain Andersen. What...
Read More

Missouri “Dogwood Award” Titles

Nonfiction for Kids
For the past several years the Missouri Association of School Librarians has sponsored an unusual new award – the “Dogwood...
Read More

83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary

Nonfiction for Kids
January 2024 - '83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary' I think that we can discover a few valuable new...
Read More

Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories (Capstone)

Nonfiction for Kids
January 2024  Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories (Capstone Press) Information becomes indelibly etched in the minds of readers when presented as...
Read More

 

YA and Adult Nonfiction Recommendations

The Other Pandemic: An AIDS Memoir

Nonfiction for Adults
Told in a manner and from a perspective only possible by a gay man, this fascinating book manages to make...
Read More

Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy and the American Experiment

Nonfiction for Adults
Wow! This is on my "must read list!" I have long been a sucker for books about Lincoln and his...
Read More

Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure

Nonfiction for Adults
So... this book has been around for a long, long time. 15 years, to be exact. Why would I even...
Read More