More and more classrooms are going digital nowadays, and more students prefer eBooks and digital resources in their studies. When it comes to younger students, these resources can be used to keep them motivated and excited. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, you can use their interest in technology to make them read more. In this article, we’ve highlighted the five best reading apps for kids with the best collections of children’s literature. Most of them are free; some have subscription plans. We hope you’ll find them useful and inspiring.
Epic
Website: Getepic
Price: Unlimited plan for $6.67/mo ($79.99 billed annually) or $9.99/mo with monthly payments; Basic free plan
Let’s start with Epic. The resource is great for K-5, as it has 40,000 books, audiobooks, and learning videos to offer. You can find thousands of high-quality books in different genres—from fiction to nonfiction. You can register as a parent or educator; there are two subscription plans available. For a monthly or annual fee, you get access to everything. Alternatively, you can use the Basic free plan, where you can “Begin a daily reading habit with access to 1 book a day, every day.”
International Children’s Library
Website: Children’s Library
Price: Free
Don’t be misled by the website’s design. It is developed by the University of Maryland, and according to its mission statement, it promotes “tolerance and respect for diverse cultures by providing access to the best of children’s literature from around the world.” After website examination, you’ll see 4,470 books on all sorts of topics in 76 languages! Perhaps, you won’t need all of these languages. Yet, you can choose the books from the lists by topic, genre, format, and character. The website is easy to navigate, and having free access to such different kids’ literature is a huge benefit for both parents and educators.
Children’s Storybooks Online (Magic Keys)
Website: Children’s Storybooks Online
Price: Free
Another free reading app with plenty of great books—for young children, older children, and young adults—is Children’s Storybooks Online. Yet again, the website’s design may not be what you are used to seeing nowadays; however, it’s the content that matters. Some of the books have audio that goes with text, so young learners can both read and listen. We also recommend checking the other resources mentioned on the website—Phonics Links, Riddles, and Quizzes—they also have plenty of great materials.
Planet eBook
Website: Planet eBook
Price: Free
A laconic website with a collection of classics will surely catch your eye and become your favorite. It’s easy to navigate, and you can read the extract from the book before you download it in any of the three available formats: PDF, MOBI, or EPUB. Older students will find the resource most appealing, as it features must-read classical pieces such as Little Women, The Tale of Two Cities, Pollyanna, Paradise Lost, and so on.
Reading IQ
Website: ReadingIQ
Price: $39.99/yr., 1 month free, then $7.99/mo
Another excellent reading app for kids, ReadingIQ offers more than 40,000 books for all reading levels: pre-readers (ages 2–4), emerging readers (ages 5–8), growing readers (ages 9–12), independent readers (ages 2–12), and Spanish readers. From picture books to historical fiction, you can also rely on their book recommendations for every level. Either as a teacher or as a parent, you can add up to 3 kids per account. Another great benefit is that the resource is regularly updated, so new books are added all the time.
