Free, online reading material for children

We know that age appropriate, engaging and free reading material can sometimes be tricky to find. Especially when your local library isn’t open. So we’ve put together a list of some of the places where you can find Bookmark approved free, online reading material for children of all ages.  

The Story Corner

The Story Corner is our new magazine for children which includes three stories, each accompanied by their own games and activities. The stories suite a range of abilities and feature a polar bear on a hunt for colour, a dream in a drawer and a girl searching for the moon. 

Read along with a Bookmark volunteer

Play the video and read along to a story about a dog in search of some fun with Aurélien, a Bookmark volunteer.  

The Open University – Top Ten Digital Books 

This resource from the Open University offers ten illustrated children’s books with visuals so children can choose what they’d like to read. The collection includes stories, poetry, comics, information books and magazines so there’s a real variety and something to appeal to all ages and abilities.   

Storyline Online – Library  

Storyline is a children’s literary charity which has an online library of digital books. Once you’ve chosen a book, click on it and watch the video of it being read aloud. Lots of these books are being read by some very famous faces!  

The Reading Agency – Resources 

The Reading Agency has a whole host of reading resources for people of all ages. The content for children includes activity packs for a wide variety of children’s authors including Roald Dahl and Jacqueline Wilson.  

BookTrust – YouTube Channel  

Not only does the BookTrust YouTube channel have a series of videos called Storytime, where children’s authors read their own books aloud, it has a huge number of videos from author’s talking about their books. These videos would be brilliant to develop enthusiasm for reading and their favorite authors in children who like to spend time on YouTube.  

The National Literacy Trust – Words for Life  

Words for Life by the National Literacy Trust provides parents, children and young people with activities and support to improve their language, literacy and communication skills from home. They are split into age ranges and are great for ideas of games to play with a child alongside reading.  

Sharon Pindar