Children's Books
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, as it is essential for a happy, successful life. This collection features kids books online, including picture books and children’s story books suitable for home reading and classroom use. Browse books for kids across reading levels and discover stories available to read online or as PDF downloads.
A Spot to Nap
A sleepy sloth climbs higher and higher up a tall tree searching for the perfect spot to nap. But every branch seems to have someone—or something—already occupying it! Will the sloth ever find a cosy place to rest? Join this determined little climber on a funny adventure filled with unexpected encounters.
Brat Cat Can Fly
Fig Pig came back from the End and gave Brat Cat some wings. He tells her what to do so she can put them on. They strap on to her chest to sit at the back.
Dolphin Dilemma
Zom often talks about his time under the sea with the dolphins. Jack and Skel said that he ought to take them with him so that they could see the sights for themselves. The next day that they had free, they set out.
In the Deep
Anika wants to explore the sea, but she’s a little scared. With encouragement from her mum, she takes a deep breath and ducks her head underwater. What begins as a nervous first try soon becomes an incredible adventure! She discovers floating algae, a baby turtle, and even a flying fish. When she finds a colourful reef full of amazing creatures, Anika can hardly believe her eyes. What other surprises are waiting for her in the deep?
The Sea Dragon
Bam and his friends are having fun at the shore when suddenly the ground begins to shake. A massive sea dragon appears, sending big waves crashing onto the beach! The dragon seems very angry. Bam has his trusty flute with him, but can music really calm a fierce sea dragon? Will Bam be brave enough to try?
A Tall Tale
The girl in the story is made out of air and is mostly invisible. One day, she decides to go to school and starts to draw, scaring a boy half to death. The boy decides to paint her face so that he can see her better.
Bird in a Cage
The boy, Ben, loves birds and his dad gets him a new one each day. One day, Ben notices that his new birds don’t want to sing and he feels sad. He asks his dad to let the birds go and they do.
Cat's House
Meet a very confident cat who has some strong opinions about life! This fluffy feline believes the house belongs to HIM, and the family are just his pets. He knows the best napping spots, catches every mouse that dares enter, and has big plans for the annoying boy next door. But what happens when you think you’re the boss of everything? Discover the hilarious world through the eyes of one very proud cat!
Farmer Ned Starts Off
Ned has just built a brand new house with help from his magical Book, but now he wants something more—he wants to grow his own food! The Book tells him he’ll need seeds, tools, and water to make it happen. But farming is hard work! Ned must craft a hoe, clear the land, and carry heavy buckets of water from the beach. Can Ned turn dry, dusty dirt into a real farm?
Girl of the Forest
I live in a hut in the forest with my parents. I see a white deer and follow it into the trees, where I also see a pangolin and a bear. We then see an elephant and hide in a cave to keep dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of children's books can I find here?
This collection includes picture books and story books for children ages 5 to 9, spanning topics from adventure and science to friendship and fantasy. Each book uses decodable text matched to a specific phonics level, so children practise reading words they can genuinely sound out rather than guess from context.
Are these kids books free to read and download?
Many of the books on this site are free to read online, with select titles offering PDF downloads, printable versions, or read-aloud features. A study across 35 countries found that simply having books available in the home is significantly associated with stronger literacy and numeracy skills in young children (Manu et al., 2019).
How do I choose the right reading level for my child?
Start by selecting your child’s grade level, then look at the phonics focus for each book. Children typically begin with simple CVC words (like cat or sit) before progressing to blends, digraphs, and multi-syllable patterns. Jeanne Chall’s Stages of Reading Development (1983) describes this journey as moving from ’learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’ by around third grade. Our scope and sequence guide explains how the levels are organised.
Why do these books use decodable text?
Decodable books use only letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught, turning reading into genuine phonics practice. The National Reading Panel (2000) found that systematic phonics instruction produces significant benefits for children in kindergarten through sixth grade — and decodable texts are how that instruction translates into real reading practice. Learn more about what decodable books are and how they work.