Where to find free e-books for kids
Print books are best for developing minds, but if you’re looking for something new to read while libraries and bookstores are closed, there are options for electronic books, and some of them are free:
Hoopla Digital works with many public libraries to let readers check out e-books, audiobooks and comics with their public library cards. The site has more than 4,500 titles. Hoopla lets multiple people check out the same title. Readers are allowed a set number of titles per month. In West Virginia, participating libraries include the West Virginia Library Commission, Clarksburg-Harrison County, Bridgeport, Marion County, Kanawha County, South Charleston and Morgantown Public Library.
WVDELI, or the West Virginia Digital Entertainment Library Initiative, is the result of several libraries collaborating years ago to deliver materials in new formats. E-books and audiobooks for all ages check out on your library card like physical materials. The newer Libby app is a pleasure to use. Participating libraries include Bridgeport, Clarksburg-Harrison County, Fayette County, Kanawha County, Lowe, Lynn Murray Memorial, Marion County, Mary H. Weir, Morgantown, Ohio County, South Charleston, Southern Area and Swaney Memorial Library.
Library of Congress Center for the Book offers classic titles for young readers and other ages. Expect PDFs you can read on your device, including “The Ugly Duckling” and Anne of Green Gables.
Open Library, a project of the non-profit Internet Archive, asks you to create a free account to check out digital versions of books, like any library. This site offers titles from popular kids’ collections such as Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and Junie B. Jones. Genres include fantasy, young children’s, young adult and middle readers.