Annie’s Books Online is a section of Annie’s Resource Attic which has the main books from the various activity sets in HTML format. I’ve started this section to support users of this web site who do not have multimedia applications that can display movies, play sounds, and handle activities that don’t have a linear structure. You can see all the action in these books online by going to them from your browser, just as you would go to any other web page.
For example, if you have been downloading the books in PDF format, you have not been able to hear the sounds or see movies. With this new option, you can go through the books online and experience all the multimedia features. Then print out PDF versions to use off computer, and use the Word® format tests and writing exercises to complete the activity set.
This page will serve as an index to all the online activity sets, although they will also be accessible from the main post for each set. In addition, you’ll find some tips below about what’s required to use these books successfully with whichever browser you are using.
Index To Online Books Links
Application needed: QuickTime, any web browser
Little Toot Book link: toot/index.html Book about the cutest little boat you have ever seen! Movies require QuickTime.
Jack-’O-Lantern Book link: pumpkin/index.html Book lets you choose features to construct nine different pumpkin faces.
Tide Pools Books link: tidePools/index.html Menu page with links to the three Tide Pools books to read online. Movies require QuickTime.
Snow Books link: snow/index.html Menu page with links to two books to read online. Movies require QuickTime.
Wrapping A Gift link: giftwrap/index.html Activity to read and complete online. Plan to print the final page. Click here for extra help with this activity.
How To Get The Most From Annie’s Books Online
- The books have large graphics, so allow a few seconds for each page to load. Once you have been through a book, you should be able to go through it faster if you read it a second time.
- If your browser loads slowly, the movies may be jerky the first time they play, since they are loading while playing. Play a movie again using the movie controller, and it should run smoothly.
- You must have QuickTime® installed to see the movies in these books. If you have iTunes® installed, then you already have QuickTime. You can test if your system is ready to run the movies in the books by looking at the movie near the bottom of this page about a kingbird nest.
- If you need to install QuickTime, click here to go to the Apple Computer® site, download QuickTime for your operating system, and install it.
- Be careful not to click the main page right after clicking a movie or look closer button. The floating window is set to open on top, but if you click the main page, that selects it and will jump it in front of the movie page. If this happens, slide the main page aside and click the movie page to make it come to the front.
Typical Features of Annie’s Books Online
A typical online book page has a photo or original art and under that a text area with 24 point text on a white background. Buttons lead to other pages, either next and previous or jumping to multiple locations. If there is a movie, it will open in a floating window. Click the black button on the movie to play it, and close the floating window when finished.
Glossary and More Info Pages
Floating windows are also used for other information. In some places, a button lets students look closer, or explore additional information about what’s on a page. Another use of the floating window is to provide a glossary that can be opened from any page. These extra information windows would appear in books written for older students, particularly science books. Simple story books might not need these at all.
Online Books Menu Pages
For navigation, the link to a set of online books leads to a menu page with several book cover buttons. Clicking a button opens a book, and on the book cover is a Go Home button to return to the menu page.
An online books menu page will also have links back to this help page, to the main post for the activity set where tests, writing activities, and other resources can be downloaded, and a link back to the Welcome page of Annie’s Resource Attic.
Great work Ann! I see you’ve been very busy. What a great idea to share your beautifully animated books with us through this format! Your graphics are brilliant and I love the glossary that you included in the books. The movies help understand the concepts so nicely. I just love using your stuff. Thanks so much for sharing! Dinell Stuckey
October 26, 2009 @ 6:53 am