This is How to Get Free Books for Kids

These 12 sites are offering free books, e-books, and magazines for kids to have fun reading at home during the coronavirus quarantine.

While libraries are slowly reopening for curbside pickup, your family may not be ready to venture out to public places just yet. While we’re ordering a few books of our own from our local, independent bookstores, there are many nonprofits and educational apps that have put free reading material for kids online. Plus, there are online libraries that offer digital access to their entire literary collections. Keep your kids reading new books while they’re cooped up at home. After all, it may just be the perfect time to expand their minds—and their vocabularies.

Sora

Overdrive, the company which brought us Libby, has partnered with the Department of Education to offer a new way for kids in grades 3-12 to read hundreds of great books for free. Download the Sora app (or access via a web browser), then log in with your student DOE ID. Check out discoversora.com/nyc for more information and to get started. Need help finding your student DOE login? Click here. If you received an iPad from DOE, it will have the Sora app automatically installed by July 1!

Bookshare

More than 800,000 titles are available in audio, audio plus highlighted text, braille, large font, and other formats for people with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers on Bookshare. The books can be accessed on any device, and it’s a free service for students who qualify (for others it’s less than $1 a month.)

Libby

Libby, an app by Overdrive, provides access to your local public library’s collection (including audio books). After entering a code from your library, you can borrow up to 5 books at a time, which you have two weeks to read (or renew). For kids there are even zoomable graphic novels, and picture books that come with read-along audio.

Brooklyn Public Library

Thanks to Overdrive, there are 20,000 books available through Brooklyn Public Library’s online library, including many popular kid’s books. Teens can also practice for their SATS or learn about social issues like climate change. All you need is a library card to log in—then download to your phone, tablet, or e-reader.

Oxford Owl

Oxford Owl is a British site from Oxford University Press that offers free books for kids ages 3-11. In addition to learning games and activities in other subjects, the library is excellent and filterable by age. Plus, there are articles for parents about how to help kids become better readers.

MagicBlox

This easily navigable site has a large collection of books for ages 3-13, including picture, chapter, and audio books in different languages. Plus, MagicBlox adds new books every week, and its helpful categories, including award-winners and trending now, may persuade your young reader to try new books.

International Children’s Digital Library

The International Children’s Digital Library is a nonprofit that has collected children’s literature from around the world. While you can’t download books and many are in other languages, this is a fascinating exploration for you and your kids to see first publications of classic books and original manuscripts from all over the world.

Open Library

As part of the nonprofit Internet Archive, Open Library is continually updating its collection of links to free books—including more than 20,000 titles for children, including just-released books and classics.

Goodreads

The site that has replaced actual bookshelves also offers free children’s books. Choose from Goodreads’ collection of books you can download free of charge, or find some children’s titles on the books tagged as “free online.”

TIME for Kids

While not actual books, TIME for Kids magazine and Your $, the financial literacy magazine for kids, are great reading options that are now available for free every week—along with previously published issues, educational resources, and activities.

Alice’s Library

Alice’s Kids, a national charity that provides targeted financial assistance to children in need, just started Alice’s Library, where any child in the U.S. can receive three specific books by sending an email to books@aliceskids.org. The library will order the books on Amazon and ship directly to the kid’s house, free of charge.

Rivet

The new app, Rivet, provides access to more than 3,500 free, digital books for kids across 14 categories and eight reading levels. After teaming up with well-known YouTube creators, Rivet created books based on popular video content. It also uses games and rewards, and provides kids AI support and feedback on every page, along with a personalized library.

psst…https://www.newyorkfamily.com/12-best-kids-books-hispanic-heritage-month/

HudsonWay Immersion School

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A pioneer in language immersion since 2005. After school language classes provide a fun and effective way for preschool and elementary children to learn Mandarin or Spanish language skills through project based learning and fun, engaging themes.</span></p>

Plugged in Band

<div>Plugged In is a nonprofit program that offers online programs to student&nbsp;musicians (Ages 10-18) in a non-competitive environment and provides band and individual performance opportunities in support of community and charitable causes.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Our programs include:</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Rock Band Classes</div> <div>Private Music Lessons</div> <div>Summer Camp</div> <div>Digital/Audio Production</div> <div>Songwriting and Recording Workshops</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Oh and hey parents, we are now offering private music lessons and our rock band program for adults too. Reach out to us for more information.&nbsp;</div>

Color Me Mine

<p>Color Me Mine Upper West Side proudly stands as a minority woman-owned studio, and we've been an integral part of the Color Me Mine franchise system since 2018! Pottery painting isn't just an activity; it's a captivating and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels.</p> <p>At Color Me Mine Upper West Side, we extend a warm invitation to dive into a realm of creativity, self-expression, and connection. Families, friends and teams grow stronger bonds when they create memories together, and at Color Me Mine, we're here to help facilitate those moments.</p> <p>Whether you're seeking a delightful family outing, a unique date night, or a solo adventure, our paint-your-own-pottery studio offers boundless possibilities. Step into our welcoming space in the heart of Lincoln Center and unleash your inner artist. Create unforgettable memories as you craft beautiful ceramic masterpieces to cherish for many years to come.</p> <p>Color Me Mine Upper West Side is also the preferred venue for celebrations of all kinds. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a baby or bridal shower, a team-building event, a gathering for college groups, an enriching field trip, or an adventure with scouts, we've got you covered. Our versatile space and passionate team provides the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories and fostering creativity in every guest.</p> <p>Join us at Color Me Mine Upper West Side, at 177 Amsterdam Avenue in New York City where every visit promises a fun journey of color, joy, and artistic exploration!</p>

This is How to Get Free Books for Kids