In a previous blog post, we discussed how literacy can be achieved without needing an actual book. However, there are also great resources out there that parents can access for easy and free literary materials. You don’t need to have an extensive, expensive library at home for your child to learn important reading skills-there is a less-exhausting way to gain access to literacy tools!

• For those kids who still love the feel of old-fashioned books (and I count my own child in this group- he loves the physical feel of pages and turning them on his own), then check out these programs that help kids choose free or low-cost books to bring home.

1. Dolly’s Parton’s Imagination Library- A program that mails free books each month to kids ages 0-5.
2. Little Free Libraries- Free book-sharing boxes where anyone can take or share a book. Volunteers have installed more than 90,000 book-sharing boxes near sidewalks and other places families tend to frequent. For us, we have a box in a few nearby playgrounds. You can visit their website and enter your zip code to find a box near you or apply for a free book-sharing box and a starter set of books.
3. Libraries- This may seem obvious, but don’t forget to visit your local library to borrow free books and take advantage of their free learning resources.

• Believe it or not, there are many websites that offer free online books for children. Some you can read by virtually flipping the pages, and some you can download to a device such as an Amazon Kindle or smartphone.

1. Read Conmigo- This program offers free bilingual books for kids in preschool through fifth grade.
2. eReaderIQsite- This site will tell you which books on Amazon are free right now. Families can explore categories and filter through “Freebies” before downloading a book, comic, or graphic novel.
3. Free Kids Books- This site will let you search for free books by age and subject, as well as books that are “dyslexia-friendly” and for English language learners.
4. Unite for Literacy- This site offers more than 400 free picture books, with a few written in Spanish. Their digital books also include audio narrations in more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Tagalog.

With a simple Google search, parents and caregivers can discover even more resources for free books. If you are not opposed to spending a little money, websites such as Thriftbooks.com and Half Price Books offer used books and textbooks for prices as low as $5. Furthermore, chain stores such as Barnes and Noble will sometimes offer summer reading programs, where children in certain grades can read a certain number of books, complete a free printable reading journal, and return that journal to the store for a reward of a free book. Check your local store or visit the Barnes and Noble website for more information!