The Best Reading Websites for Kids
Learn how to Read with Interactive Books and Online Stories
May 3, 2009
Learn how to read and practice reading skills with the following interactive books and online stories that are not only fun and educational, but are entertaining too.
The Internet is filled with many educational opportunities for children, including reading. Learning how to read is a crucial investment in shaping a child’s life and future. While many children enjoy learning how to read, others have difficulty and often struggle. The Internet provides a wide variety of tools and resources that help children learn and practice reading skills.
Because of the Internet, children are no longer limited by the materials in front of them. Children are able to access thousands of interactive books in an instant. The sky is the limit when it comes to online learning. A new and exciting world of imagination and fun is available with the simple click of the mouse.
The following websites offer free online books, interactive stories and reading tools for young children.
Online Stories and Reading Sites:
- StoryLine Online – Select a book, then watch and listen as a famous celebrity reads the book aloud. Each book includes subtitles that can be turned on or off. Although the service from the Screen Actors Guild is free, donations are accepted.
- IPL Kidspace Storyhour – The Internet Public Library, IPL, includes several online books for children. Just select a book and turn the page to begin.
- StoryPlace Children’s Digital Library – Available in English and Spanish, the StoryPlace Children's Digital Library provides interactive online stories and activities for preschool and elementary age children.
- MagicKeys Children’s Storybooks Online – This website offers online books for all age groups – from young children to young adults. Most stories do not include audio.
- CBeebies – This website offers many different stories to choose from. All sorts of lovable characters are included in the interactive stories. From the BBC, users can read aloud, print, color or listen.
- Starfall – A favorite among educators, Starfall offers many fun and educational activities for young children, including reading. This interactive site is a must-have for parents and teachers.
- Clifford’s Interactive Storybooks - Clifford, the lovable red dog, comes to life in these interactive storybooks. Select from four different books in Spanish or English. The site is located at Teacher Scholastic.
- The Kiz Club Stories and Props – This website has 24 online books that can also be printed. The stories are simple but do not offer much interactivity.
- PBSKids Lions Stories – Between the Lions, from PBSKids, offers reading fun for youngsters that includes entertaining videos.
Downloadable Books and Stories for Children:
- StoryNory – This website not only offers a large collection of stories online, but users can also download the audio version for free and burn them to a CD. Choices include a huge assortment of fairy tales, classics and original stories. Although this is a wonderful service, children are unable to interact with the stories since it is strictly a reading site.
- Kiddie Records – This website is guaranteed to bring back memories for many grandparents! In 2005, The Kiddie Records project launched in order to bring attention to the “golden age or children’s records.” Although Kiddie Records first focused on records from the 40s and 50s, the project expanded and now includes classics from many decades. Today, Kiddie Records Weekly adds a new recording every week. Users can listen to a wide variety of stories via streaming audio and can also download the audio and image files for free. From Robin Hood, Bugs Bunny, Puss in Boots and Pecos Bill to Jerry Lewis and Francis the Talking Mule, children and adults alike will enjoy this wonderful site.
The copyright of the article The Best Reading Websites for Kids in Internet is owned by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway. Permission to republish The Best Reading Websites for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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