Great E-Books Deals for Kids (Free or Under $5)
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If you don’t have any children’s books to read at home, here’s how you can find great e-book deals for kids of all ages for either free or under $5. These will keep your kids reading and building their literacy skills no matter your access to a library or bookstore.
ALSO READ: Tips for Teaching Kids How to Read EBooks
Options for Finding E-Book Deals
You basically have two options.:
1. Libby
Libby is the library app connected to Overdrive. All you need is your library card number and you’ll be able to check out and download FREE e-books and audiobooks.
2a. Amazon: FreeTimeunlimited Subscription
Amazon offers plenty of children’s e-book options for free or cheap. FREE applies to a new service called FreeTimeunlimited. And it’s FREE for one month!!
FreeTimeunlimited gives you access to thousands of children’s books for $4.99 a month (after a free trial month) or $2.99 for Prime members. If you want this for multiple children, the cost is $9.99 for up to four kids or $6.99 for Prime members.
Check out the library of book selections for ages 3 to 5, ages 6 to 8, and ages 9 to 12 by clicking through and scrolling down.
Alternatively, you’ll notice on some children’s e-books like Tacky the Penguin that the book is included in FreeTimeunlimited. In this case, this particular e-book costs the same as the unlimited membership, $4.99.
One beneficial feature of the FreeTimeunlimited is the parental controls to manage settings, monitor or set time limits, set filters, and more.
2b. Amazon eBooks (+ Narration)
Of course, instead of a membership, you can always buy and download e-books on Amazon. These will be downloaded to any device you pick.
In addition, I want to mention a very cool feature (albeit, a bit pricey) of audio narration. Look closely because some books let you add an Audible book narration to your eBook download. This allows your readers to listen while they read…or listen first and then read…or just listen.
Notice the details on this screenshot for the chapter book Lost in the Pacific.
- 1 shows you the price of the Kindle book. ($3.99)
- 2 is where you can see if Audible narration is available and if so, how much it costs. Add it to your purchase and you’ll be able to hear the story while you read. ($7.49.)
- 3 is where you can get a sample of the book…try before you buy.
3. EPIC!
Read my full review of EPIC! membership and features that might help you decide if this ebook platform is right for you. It’s free for parents for 30 days and always free for teachers.
If you want to just check out the EPIC! website, go here.
Devices for Reading E-Books
What do you need to read e-books from the library or Amazon? Basically, any device can be an ebook reader.
- Phone with the Kindle app
- Kindle Fire ($49.99 right now!!)
- Kindle Fire Kids Edition ($199.99)
- Kindle Kids ($79.99) BEST DEAL!
Includes a 1-year unlimited membership to FreeTimeunlimited - Any tablet with the Kindle app
Kindle Book Deals Under $5
E-Book Deals for Preschool Readers Ages 3 – 6
You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant
$.99
Cute little fuzzy creatures argue about who is small and big in this simple book with a surprise very big creature at the end. Funny!
Little Critter: Just a Snowman by Mercer Mayer
$.99
Little Critter is excited that school is canceled. He can’t wait to build a snowman but before he can, he has a lot of other responsibilities…
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
$.99
If you love neurotic squirrels, diagrams, and laughing, this hilarious story is for you! As you might guess from title, this is one scared squirrel. But will our not-so-brave squirrel be brave enough to lave the safety of his tree?
The Berenstain Bears Under the Sea by Mike Berenstain
$2.99
The Berenstain Bear family visit the aquarium where they get to see ocean animals then travel in a submarine to explore under the ocean.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
$4.99
I love this book so much– so do kids! It’s a darling rhyming story of animals on the farm and their sounds.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and Jon Archambault, illustrated Lois Ehlert
$3.99
A classic favorite of childhood, this picture e-book is a rhyming story of alphabet letters having fun.
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley
$4.99
What a silly (very silly!) cumulative story filled with onomatopoeias like “stinky dinky lanky honky tonky winky wonky donkey.” This wonky donkey is walking down the road, he hasn’t had any coffee, and he’s always getting up to mischief.
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson
$3.99
An enchanting story about Mrs. Poodle’s puppies, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Even though Gaston doesn’t look or even act like her little puppies, it doesn’t matter until they meet Mrs. Bulldog’s puppies in the park and realize Gaston is a bulldog and Mrs. Bulldog’s Antoinette is a poodle. But trading back doesn’t work, Gaston misses his poodle family and Antoinette misses her bulldog family. And it turns out that love and family mean much more than DNA. A lovely picture e-book!
It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
$.99
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
$3.99
Hilarious! Farmer Brown’s cows love to type. But things get tricky when the cows start writing letters to make demands like electric blankets to keep them warm.
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, illustrator Lynn Munsinger
$4.99
If you don’t already love Tacky, he’s a quirky, adorable penguin. Highly recommended.
E-Book Deals for Growing Readers Ages 6 – 9
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
$4.99
A childhood classic for growing readers, you’ll read about these two best friends and their days together.
Rise of the Earth Dragons by Tracey West, illustrated by Graham Howells
$2.99
In the times of castles and kingdoms, Drake learns he is a dragon master (and that dragons are real!) He trains with the other kids to master his dragon, an earth dragon in this adventurous fantasy chapter book that will interest almost any child with conflict, adventure, and excitement.
Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings
$2.99
Alexander discovers his new town is FILLED WITH MONSTERS! And, he’s right in the middle of everything especially after he finds an old notebook of drawings and facts about monsters. Fun with an edge of scary. These easy chapter books are hard to put down.
Eva’s Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott
$2.99
Eva writes in diary form all about getting the Bloomtastic Festival put together. At first, she wants to do it all herself but eventually learns to ask friends for help.
Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May
$2.99
Narrated in diary format by a lovable pug named Bub with plenty of illustrations and large-sized text, we learn that Bub is afraid of water but loves to craft just like his person, Bella. In fact, he’s going to help her invent the best craft project ever. Unfortunately, disaster strikes when a mischievous squirrel interferes. Bub must face his biggest fears in order to fix things for Bella. Luckily, he’s a brilliant problem solver!
The Princess in Black #1 by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
FREE
This brave princess must leave her fancy tea part to fight monsters in secret to save her kingdom. Action-packed, a heroine to admire, and tons of fun.
Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro
FREE
Kids (and I) love the Zoey stories that are filled with science, magic, and mystery. Zoey learns that she and her mom can see magical creatures…and that her mom is a guardian of sorts that helps any sick creatures. One day, a sick baby dragon comes to Zoey for help…and she must use the scientific method to figure out what’s wrong and what will help make the dragon better.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
FREE
Mr. and Mrs. Watson adopt Mercy into their family– a mischievous, loving pig who loves toast and cuddling…and the neighbor’s sugar cookies. A darling illustrated story your kids will adore.
Judy Was In a Mood by Megan McDonald
FREE
Want to get your kids reading a great series? Try Judy Moody. She’s a relatable third grader with a big personality, an annoying little brother, the coolest aunt ever, and lots of humorous antics. Box Set Here.
Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
$3.99
The first adventure in the most amazing series about a magical treehouse that transports twins Jack and Annie into history where they need to solve mysteries.
My Weirdest School #1: Mr. Cooper Is Super by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
$2.99
If you like weird and funny books, this is a reader favorite about the new and weird third-grade teacher, Mr. Cooper.
E-Book Amazon Deals for Independent Readers Ages 8 – 12
I Survived the Battle of D-Day by Lauren Tarshis
$3.99
The French 11-year-old named Paul finds an American paratrooper that he helps to stop the Nazis which means he’ll be part of the biggest invasion in history.
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$2.99
Doug is struggling with illiteracy while living in poverty with an abusive dad and older brother. What saves him is connecting to a kind librarian who shows him Audobon’s bird paintings — and how to draw. It’s an excellent story!!!!
Timothy Failure Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
$1.99
Timmy is a clueless detective with a polar bear sidekick. Their adventures will make your reader laugh out loud!
Anyone But Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp
$2.49
I read many parts out loud to my kids while I was reading this book – they were just so funny!! Now my kids are addicted to this series, too. Quirky (really quirky) but lovable Ivy’s adventures involve a sinister ghost, a mystical jewel, and a surprising destiny.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$1.99
Skulduggery is the skeleton detective hero along with a totally awesome (and brave and smart) girl named Stephanie. Together they solve crimes in the magical world after Stephanie insists on becoming his new side-kick. She picks a new name, Valkyrie and becomes invaluable to Skulduggery as they both fight to save the world from evil. I think your kids will enjoy these fun-to-read, action and mystery books with fantastic characters and storylines as much as I did.
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$3.99
My daughter LOVES this series about a group of dragonets who leave their protectors’ safety and are captured by a vengeful faction of dragons. The dragonets might be the long-awaited dragons of the prophecy that will end the dragon wars for good. One thing’s for sure: when the dragonets are captured, things don’t look good for their survival.
Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink by Tod Olson *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$3.99
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
$1.99
This book is brilliantly written for so many reasons. First of all, because it addresses the very real issue of police violence against black children but it does not vilify or stereotype. Second of all, the author shows us the complexity of issues and the humanity of a police officer from the perspective of his daughter. After Jerome is unjustly shot, he becomes a ghost. Sarah, the police officer’s daughter, sees and talks to him but he can also see other ghost boys who were killed in racially motivated violence. It’s a well-written, fast-paced story about important current events.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$4.99
This book shows Gaiman’s incredible storytelling ability. It’s about a girl, Coraline, who discovers an alternative reality identical to her own — same house, same mother and father — through a little door in her house. It’s a world that at first seems wonderful yet it becomes frightening when Coraline realizes she might not get to leave. Very creepy.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
$3.99
An unforgettable story about 10-year-old Yanek’s time in the concentration camps. Can he survive the horror, starvation, and brutality?
Rump by Liesl Shurtliff
$4.99
In this surprisingly thoughtful story from Rumplestiltskin’s perspective, Rump discovers the difference between who he knows he is versus who others say that he is. After Rump learns that he’s trapped in his mom’s magical “rumple”, it explains why he feels compelled to make straw into gold for any trade that someone offers him. Of course, this is what the miller takes advantage of, leaving Rump without options or control over the trades. With the help of his troll friends, his friend Red, and his aunts, Rump finds a way to stop the magical curse and give the queen back her child. You’ll find plenty of themes to discuss with 6th graders from this fractured fairy tale.
Ice Dogs by Terry Lynn Johnson *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$1.99
This looks like an exciting adventure of survival. Victoria is a 14-year-old dogsled racer who gets lost — and is forced to survive with no food and temps dropping.
Storm Runners by Roland Smith *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$3.99
Smith always writes non-stop action and adventure books. This series is about what happens when a hurricane hits, flips the school bus, and Chase and his classmates are stuck in a swamp. Be warned, the first book ends on a cliff-hanger but there are three in the series so you can keep reading with book two, The Surge.
The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$1.99
Short but filled with tenderness! When a grief-stricken dog rescues two lost children in a terrible snowstorm, he takes them to the cabin of his former friend, a poet named Sylvan who rescued him years before. Told from the dog’s perspective we watch them bond and wonder if maybe the kids have saved the dog as much as he saved them. (And the beautiful ending WILL make you cry!)
Young Adult Readers Ages 13+
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
$2.99
A thrilling dystopian novel about a society that forces citizens to compete in a televised game to the death, The Hunger Games.
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau *WITH AUDIBLE NARRATION
$3.99
In this dystopian trilogy, 16-year-old Cia gets called for the Testing. She leaves her home to attend and hopefully survive a brutal government training program designed to find the next generation of leaders.
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