In this world of ever-changing, fast-moving digital resources and gadgets, it’s refreshing every now and again to come across something that’s a throw back to the old days. Archive.org is just that.I spent quite a while looking through its vast library of books all of which are out of copyright so now free for everyone. They are all readable in a browser or downloadable (that really doesn’t look like a word?!) in a variety of different formats. This means they can all be read on a number of different e-readers, be that Kindle, iPad, smartphone or other dedicated ebook reader. Quite ironic that! Old technology meeting new…

Anyhow, back to the title of this piece. There are some smashing older versions of many popular children’s stories: Cinderella, Jack the Giant Killer, etc. and these can be used quite readily in the classroom. Great for comparisons, language changes and so forth. Lots of ways they can be used.

So do yourself a favour and go have a look. You may well spend some time there too.

Children’s Library