Looking for things to do with your kids? Local resources? Fun things to do as a family while you are at home?

You can always try out our wide variety of databases, ebooks, eaudiobooks, movies & TV, newspapers & magazines and more—just scroll down past the calendar on the right and click a button to get started! Online Learning & Resources will take you to our complete list.

While you are on the Online Learning & Resources page or our homepage, if you click on the Tutorials button on the right side of the screen you can select any of the tutorials to learn more about many of our databases and some other websites and services.

We know there is a ton of information and ideas of things to do all over the internet right now. Here are some that we recommend. Take a look!

Local, State & National Resources

Bloomington-Normal COVID-19 Information from Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and other trusted sources

State of Illinois COVID-19 Response 

Illinois Department of Employment Security 

State of Illinois resource for Job Seekers and Employers - illinois.gov/GetHired

PATH 211 - Central Illinois residents can call 211 to find fast, free and confidential help for health and human service resources

Your Money, Your Goals from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a financial empowerment toolkit that can help you consider the impact of your choices when money is tight

Illinois Extension has a tremendous list of resources related to COVID-19

Follow our social media to see programs and information for all ages! Like our Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more.

COVID-19 Resources for Young Children and Their Caregivers

Books, eBooks, and Digital Resources collected by NPL Children's Librarians

Books and e-Books

COVID-specific:

Coronavirus: A Book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson & Nia Roberts
A Kids Book About COVID-19 by Malia Jones
What is a Pandemic?: And How Can You Stay Safe? by Naomi O’Brien & LaNesha Tabb
Pandemics Special Issue by Cricket Media

Coping with fear and uncertainty:

Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson
I’m Worried by Michael Ian Black (consider others in this series as well)
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
The Don't Worry Book by Todd Parr
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Little Tree by Loren Long
Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen
The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul

Coping with illness or the death of a loved one:

Curious George Goes to the Hospital by Margaret and H.A. Rey (available on Hoopla)
Death is Stupid by Anastasia Higginbotham
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
The Funeral by Matt James
The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup
Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell

Digital Resources

Coronavirus lesson plan by BrainPOP
Coronavirus: What Kids Can Do article by KidsHealth from Nemours
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus by NPR
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019 from the CDC
Talking to Children About COVID-19 from the National Association of School Psychologists