Are you searching for websites to read books for free, especially for kids you're teaching this year? Ebooks have become a popular method to encourage reluctant readers and are an efficient way to enlarge your classroom library without needing extra physical space.
However, maintaining a classroom library in both digital and physical formats can be expensive. To address this, I've compiled a list of interactive tools to help you develop your digital classroom library at no cost. The highlight? All these resources are available for free!
15+ amazing FREE reading websites – where to read free kids' books online
Simply click on any of the links in our list of websites to read books for free, and you'll be directed straight to the site.
Although some may ask you to sign up, rest assured that all these sites are free or provide complimentary access for classroom use. I've included some background information for each reading website for free ebooks and audiobooks to help you quickly find the perfect resources.
Reading Websites for Free Kids Books Online – Stories & Digital Texts
Are you on a hunt for free kids' books online? Your search ends here! We're about to embark on a thrilling virtual adventure into the world of children's fiction.
As a fellow book enthusiast, I've carefully selected these free reading websites for their vast array of stories and their unique features catering to a variety of young readers' tastes. Whether it's visually appealing interfaces or classic tales waiting to be discovered, there's something here for every budding reader.
The websites listed offer the best in engaging children's fiction at no cost. They might differ in appearance – some boast a sleek, modern look while others keep it simple – but their mission is unified: to enrich young minds with captivating stories.
Stay tuned as we explore reading websites for free ebooks and audiobooks, ensuring you're equipped with go-to digital reading resources for your classroom or homeschool.
1. Epic
Embark on a literary journey with Epic, a vast digital library treasure trove for K-5 educators and learners. This expansive platform has many titles, offering something for every young reader to read books online for free.
Epic's collection spans various genres, from fiction and nonfiction to a fantastic array of audiobooks and engaging video books. It's a one-stop shop for all your classroom's reading needs, ensuring every child finds something that captivates them.
The platform isn't just about reading; it's about interactive learning. Epic offers quizzes tailored to each book, making it easy for teachers to assess comprehension and track student progress. This feature adds an educational layer that enhances both teaching and learning experiences.
Free Access for Teachers: What makes Epic stand out? It's completely free for teachers! This accessibility allows for a richer, more diverse classroom reading experience. Teachers can create individual reading profiles and personalized GetEpic logins for students, catering to different reading levels and interests. This personalization ensures that each child's journey on Epic is as unique as they are.
Check it out: www.getepic.com
2. International Children's Library
Don't judge this site by its simple appearance! The International Children's Library is a hidden gem, offering an array of books for children of all ages. It's rich in diverse stories, perfect for young readers.
What sets this site apart is its user-friendly categorization. Books are organized by age group, length, and topic, making it incredibly easy to find just the right book for your readers. This thoughtful organization ensures you can quickly match books to your students' preferences and reading levels.
If you're looking to expose your students to traditional literature from around the world, this site is a fantastic resource. It's an excellent tool for traditional literature units, providing access to a wide selection of global stories.
One of the best aspects of the International Children's Library is its completely free. I personally love using these free stories in my teaching. They're educational and a fun way to travel the world through literature.
Check it out: childrenslibrary.org
3. Magic Keys
Magic Keys offers a treasure trove of free stories and books, thoughtfully categorized for young children, older children, and young adults. It's a one-stop site for readers of various age groups.
Don't be swayed by its classic look; Magic Keys may not have the most modern interface, but it's packed with quality content. This site is a great resource for diverse and engaging reading materials.
An added perk of Magic Keys is the availability of audio for many books. This feature provides students with excellent reading models, enhancing their learning experience.
Also, don't forget to check out Magic Keys' collection of riddles and other fun resources. These additional features make it an even more valuable tool for both education and entertainment.
Check it out: magickeys.com
4. iStoryBooks
iStoryBooks is a fantastic app that offers a complimentary premium upgrade for teachers. It boasts a wide range of free texts, making it a valuable resource for educators.
Primarily catering to primary learners, iStoryBooks is an ideal choice for K-2 teachers. If you're looking for excellent 1st-grade books online, this app has you covered with a variety of engaging stories.
What sets iStoryBooks apart is the professional narration accompanying the stories. This feature particularly benefits young readers, as it models fluent reading, enhancing their learning experience.
Stay excited for new additions – iStoryBooks releases new books every two weeks, keeping the collection fresh and interesting for continuous learning.
Multilingual Options for Diverse Classrooms: For those teaching in dual-language settings or working with English Language Learners, iStoryBooks also offers text options in Spanish and several other languages, making it a versatile tool in multilingual educational environments.
Check it out: iStoryBooks app
5. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a fantastic resource for finding free online books for kids, especially classic tales. Dive into the delightful world of “The Bobbsey Twins” or the charming adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. It's a treasure trove of thousands of books, including many timeless favorites, all available at no cost and is great for general reading.
While you won't find the latest bestsellers like “Harry Potter” here, Project Gutenberg specializes in classics that have captivated readers for generations. It's the perfect place for those cherished stories now part of the public domain.
The website may initially seem a bit complex for young navigators, but exploring and uncovering those hidden literary jewels is worth the effort. You'll discover a wealth of wonderful reads with a bit of exploration.
Project Gutenberg is like an expansive online library that's always open. Whether you're learning from home or simply looking for a great read, this site makes it easy to access a vast collection of books anytime. It's an invaluable resource for endless reading adventures.
Check it out: gutenberg.org
6. Planet EBook
Another great site with the classics. This one is pretty easy to navigate, but it is not exactly visually pleasing.
This site includes classic books like Alice in Wonderland and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This site would be ideal for advanced or older readers.
Check it out: https://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/
7. Reading IQ
This site had several thousand leveled books, including favorites like Curious George and the nonfiction National Geographic Kids titles.
Teachers can sign up for free access, and each student has their own profile to help them set goals and ensure they are accessing reading materials at their personal reading level.
This site is great because it has a lot of updated and new books. Plus, the site interface is geared toward students.
Check it out: https://www.readingiq.com
8. Amazon Free eBooks
Over 80 million readers can't be wrong! Plus, Amazon updates its best-selling ebook list hourly, with a separate tab for free titles. The great part about this is you'll always have new titles appearing on this page, so there's motivation to go back repeatedly!
You'll likely find a combination of titles you know and love and lesser-known books. However, this is a great place to grab titles for avid readers.
Check it out: Amazon Top 100 Free EBooks
9. Free-Ebooks.net
This site has a wide variety of great children's books. It includes both classics and titles that are not available in print, and all titles are downloadable in multiple formats (including PDF).
One warning – you probably don't want to direct students to the homepage of this free reading website. It contains ebooks for adults and kids, and some romance novels appear on the home screen.
Check it out: Free-Ebooks.net
10. Naratopia
Naratopia is an enchanting online platform that brings a fresh twist to storytelling. It offers a wide variety of unique stories, designed to appeal to a diverse audience. This charming site stands out for its innovative approach to reading
What makes Naratopia truly special is the ability for users to personalize their reading experience. You can select stories based on various criteria such as the child's age, story characters, emotions evoked, genre, or specific topics of interest. This feature ensures that every reader finds a story that resonates with them.
Although often categorized as a “Bedtime story” site, Naratopia's appeal stretches beyond bedtime to captivate readers of all ages. Its versatile collection is filled with tales that spark the imagination and engage readers of all ages.
The delightful illustrations accompanying each story add to the site's charm. These artworks enrich the storytelling experience, making every tale a visual and narrative treat.
One thing to note is that, unlike other reading websites for free stories on this list, Naratopia presents its stories on web pages rather than in traditional book format. While this might be a new experience for some, the site's commitment to personalized, engaging narratives ensures a unique and interactive reading journey.
Check it out: Naratopia
Free Audiobooks and Digital Read Alouds
For students who face challenges with reading or benefit from hearing fluent examples, free audiobooks and digital read-alouds are fantastic resources. This selection offers a plethora of options where students can access a variety of audiobooks at no cost.
Discover a world of stories with our collection of sites featuring free digital read-alouds that provide engaging models of expressive reading. Each site offers a vast selection of free audiobooks for students.
11. Storyline Online
Storyline Online brings stories to life with its enchanting collection of “favorite stories read by celebrities” that children adore. Picture the delight on your students' faces as they listen to the iconic voices of Betty White, James Earl Jones, and an array of other stars, lending their talent to animate tales with warmth and excitement.
This resource, backed by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, not only adds new books regularly but also provides an excellent solution when you can't grab a copy of a book for your lesson plans. Whether you need an engaging read-aloud for a substitute teacher or want to offer a unique literary experience, Storyline Online is an ideal option.
Its commitment to educational storytelling ensures that your students have access to a diverse library of books, with the added thrill of celebrity narration to spark a lifelong love of reading.
Check it out: Storyline Online
12. Storynory
Dive into the enchanting world of Storynory, your go-to resource for free children's audiobooks. This website offers many options, from timeless fairy tales to original stories, all narrated by professional voice actors.
With a constant stream of new additions, Storynory ensures that there's always a fresh narrative waiting to be discovered.
An outstanding feature for ESL classrooms is the ability to translate the text into different languages, making it a powerful tool for language learners to practice listening and reading in English and their native tongue.
Storynory's combination of accessibility, variety, and adaptability makes it an invaluable educational ally for teachers around the globe.
Check it out: Storynory
13. Oxford Owl
Step into Oxford Owl's vast library of 250+ free children's audiobooks, perfect for enriching classroom storytelling. They're great for substitute teacher days or enhancing students' listening experiences. These audiobooks ignite young imaginations, making them ideal for auditory learners and those who thrive on narrated stories.
While Oxford Owl's audiobooks lack accompanying text, they immerse students in auditory storytelling, honing listening skills and comprehension. This also encourages visualizing stories, boosting creativity and retention. Remember, the power of listening can inspire a deep love for stories, even without the text.
Check it out: Oxford Owl
14. Starfall
For primary grade teaching, Starfall is a top-notch resource designed for K-2 readers. It offers four learning levels, catering to individual student needs and promoting interactive reading with colorful visuals. Unlike other platforms, it requires students to click to turn pages, ensuring active engagement and a dynamic learning experience. Starfall makes reading fun and captivating for young learners.
Check it out: Starfall
15. Just Books Read Aloud
The title says it all really. These are kids' books read aloud. This site isn't the most modern, but it has quite a few newer titles.
Students can read the words and follow along, and the site includes some great favorites like The Giving Tree
Check it out: Just Books Read Aloud
16. Vooks
Elevate your Listen to Reading station with VOOKs, where you can sign up for free and instantly access a library of read-along storybooks. VOOKs' semi-animated books capture students' attention, making each digital read-aloud session an adventure in learning and literacy.
These engaging free digital read-alouds are a teacher's ally in promoting reading enjoyment and fluency. With stories that come to life through animation and narration, VOOKs provides the perfect mix of entertainment and education, ensuring your students are always eager to engage with their next book.
Sign up for free and watch your classroom's love for reading grow with every story!
Check it out: Vooks
Free reading websites for kids – Great options for every learner
I hope you find these great resources useful in your classroom, and if you know any other great resources, send them my way!! I'm always looking for more great ideas to add to the list.
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