eBook

Best eBook Apps For Kids (All eBooks) [Updated for 2022]

Award-winning kids picture ebooks for iPad, iPhone and other devices

We Reviewed Hundreds Of The Best eBook Apps For Kids (All eBooks) So You Don’t Have To. Here Are Our Top Picks.

There are many, many—and I will say it again—many eBooks for kids in the app store. Most of these ebooks are standalone apps, but today I am focussing on eBooks for kids that are either part of a “bookshelf” type app or from an eBook publisher who publishes a variety of eBooks for kids.

The reason for this is that although I won’t be reviewing every Oceanhouse Media book, for example, I would highly recommend them as a publisher and would therefore feel comfortable recommending their ebooks in general.

Many of these publishers are retelling classic stories such as Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, etc. Others have a combination of classics, original stories, and ebooks based on best selling books or movies.


Nighty Night

Price: $3.99 on iOS Store; free on Google Play (both with in-app purchases)

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

This award winner is perfect for that wind-down story right before bedtime. It’s designed for the very young, and features 13 interactive animals. You can also switch from summer to winter version. It has an autoplay version, and can be used in 13 different languages.

This ebook costs $3.99 on the iOS App Store and is free on Google Play Store. Some of the animals are available as in-app purchases of $1.99 each. There is also an optional video available by in-app purchase for $0.99.


The Cat in the Hat

Price: $3.99

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

This app features all of the fun of Dr. Seuss as well as surprise interactions that can be activated by tapping, tilting, or swiping your device. It’s an award-winner, with mini-games embedded to help your child with beginning reading and language skills. The activities are aligned to kindergarten Common Core Standards. It has read-to-me, read-to-myself, and autoplay modes.

The app is very child safe. It’s from the developers at Oceanhouse Media, so you know it’s high quality.


Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Potter

Price: $3.99 on iOS App Store; $1.99 on Google Play Store

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

This ebook features over 50 pages of digital pop-up fun. The classic story of Peter Rabbit and his misfortunes in the garden of Mr. MacGregor is retold with beautiful illustrations and surprises on every page. This ebook features read-to-me and read-to-myself modes, as well. Beatrix Potter’s amazing story comes to life in this version.


The Three Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stories (The Story Mouse Volume 4, Unabridged)

Price:  $2.99

iOS App Store

This ebook includes the Three Billy Goats Gruff and three other classic fairy tales (the Three Pigs, Red Riding Hood, and Goldilocks) in a beautifully told version that children will love. This version is an audio book, so even the youngest children will be able to enjoy it on their own.


The Tortoise & the Hare

Price: $4.99 with in-app purchases

iOS App Store

This ebook features 12 interactive pages with hidden animations and surprises on each and every one. In fact, almost every item children touch will come to life. There are two modes: Read to Me and Let Me Play, which is fully interactive.

The app also switches smoothly between English and Spanish (and even French as an upgrade). There are teacher guides and parent activity tips available, too.

The app has in-app purchases to add features for prices ranging from $1.99 to $2.99.


Alice for the iPad

Price: $2.99

iOS App Store

This stunning version of Lewis Carroll’s classic is available from Oceanhouse Media. It includes hundreds of pages and dozens of amazing animated scenes. There is an abridged mode with 52 pages or a full mode with over 250 pages. Digital magic brings the original illustrations to life. This award-winner is a must-have for your collection.

 


Dr. Seuss’s ABC-Read & Learn

Price: $3.99

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

Here’s a Dr. Seuss classic that’s been thoughtfully adapted for digital devices. Every one of the classic characters, from Aunt Annie to the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz, is present and accounted for, and each page has a large collection of its own surprises and fun. Some of the surprises even change each time you tap.

The app is a real find!


Jack and the Beanstalk Interactive Storybook

Price: $0.99

iOS App Store

This award-winner includes games, activities, and even hidden Easter Eggs in the classic tale of the boy who traded his cow for beans. There are 32 pages here, with interactions hidden on each and every one. The developer even gives clues in the app description about finding some of the do-not-miss best ones.

 


Moo, Baa, La La La! – Sandra Boynton

Price: $2.99 on iOS App Store; $1.99 on Google Play Store

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

Wow, this app is great! Kids (nearly any age) will love the loud and raucous interactive pieces. Some are even randomized, so you never can tell what will pop up or out at you. Touch the animals to hear their sounds and sometimes, some crazy noises. Slingshot cats away from the dogs. You just never can tell what you will find in this book.

It is worth every penny!


The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Play & Explore

Price: Free with in-app purchases

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

This 3D pop-up digital version of Eric Carle’s classic is a must-see to believe. The ebook features not only the hungry caterpillar, but characters from several of Carle’s other books, as well. There are interactive games and puzzles on every page. Kids will love it!

The app is free to download and try. There are in-app purchase options for $0.99, the complete story book for $2.99, and you can unlock everything for $4.99.


Peek-A-Zoo by Duck Duck Moose

Price: Free

iOS App Store

Here’s a freebie from the early childhood expert developers at Duck Duck Moose. The app is gorgeous and will help children learn to name animals, emotions, actions, and more. They will learn about positions in space and sounds, too. This is an award-winner that you won’t want to miss. And it’s free!

 

 


Another Monster at the End of this Book

Price: $3.99

iOS App Store

This app is a sequel to the popular “Monster at the End of this Book” from a few years back. Grover works hard to invent ever more silly ways to keep readers away from the monster at the end of the book, and Elmo asks for the reader’s help to sneak by him anyway. There are fun interactions on each page and the action gets sillier and sillier. The app features word highlighting for beginning readers, too.


Green Eggs and Ham

Price: $3.99 on iOS App Store; $0.99 on Google Play Store

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

Sam-I-Am and his reluctant pal will delight and amaze your child in this interactive gem from Oceanhouse Media. Like many other ebooks from Oceanhouse Media, there are hidden educational activities on each page available by tapping the stars. The book has read-to-me, read-to-myself, and autoplay modes.

Green Eggs and Ham is a very high-quality ebook.


Mother Gray and Little Blue

Price: $2.99

Google Play Store

This story about an inquisitive baby whale on its first migration will delight and amaze your child. There are fun interactive animations and sounds on each page. The font was specially selected to be friendly to beginning readers, and the app has four modes to adjust levels of interactivity. There’s even a creative “Add to the Story” mode where children can add new items to the scenes.

 


The Platypus’ Search

Price: Free to download; full version costs $2.99

iOS App Store

This story for older kids tackles topics like diversity and prejudice. Each page features interactions as readers are encouraged to help the characters find missing items. Kids even get to put all of the animals to bed, but they have to get the critters to the correct dens so they fall asleep. There’s also a music feature with a real band.

 


Wee You-Things

Price: $2.99

iOS App Store

This ebook is designed for kids ages 3 to 7. It teaches appreciation for diversity and individual differences. The app’s positive message is that we all have things that make us a bit different and those are the things that make us special. It’s a great discussion starter, and will help kids learn to navigate the social landscape. The book includes silly animations and sound effects that will help keep readers engaged, and it will help instill positive values.


MIXUP Picture Book

Price: Free

iOS App Store

Here’s an absolutely unique picture book that will bring out your child’s creative side. This book mixes and matches elements from three different fairy tales into a new creation nearly every time it’s read. Kids can answer questions like “Will Little Red Riding Hood discover the cave of Ali Baba?” or “Will the Fairy Godmother turn the Big Bad Wolf into a carriage so Cinderella can get to the ball?”

The answers to these and other burning questions are in the hands of your child. The book is fashioned in the style of the choose-your-own-adventure stories, and has 50 possible endings.


FarFaria Read Along Kids Books

Price: Free with in-app purchases of subscriptions

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

FarFaria offers an entire library of kids’ books in the palm of your hand! Choose from story books, nonfiction pieces, and more.  Each book offers read-to-me and read-on-my-own options. The books are designed to enthrall children from ages 1 through 9 years. The free version offers one free book per day, and more are added daily.

If you’d like to explore more than one book per day, consider a subscription. Monthly, annual and lifetime subscriptions are available as in-app purchases. The costs range from $4.99 monthly, $49.99 annually, or $99.99 for lifetime.


Skybrary – Kids Books and Videos

Price: 1 month free trial followed by a $4.99 monthly subscription

iOS App Store / Google Play Store

Skybrary is the legacy of the old Reading Rainbow television show, brought to you by the people at Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. It offers over 1000 books to choose from, with selections that will please almost any child. There are read-to-me and read-to-myself options for each book, and parents can create up to three profiles for different users.

This app is free to download and try out for 30 days. After that time, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription. In-app purchase options include monthly at $4.99 or annual at $39.99.


Tales 2 Go

Price: Free 30 day trial followed by subscription purchase

iOS App Store

Move over, Audible and kin! Here’s an audiobook streaming service dedicated to K-12 students. Tales2Go has long been a favorite of schools, but now parents can get in on the action, too. With over 7,000 high-quality audiobooks to choose from, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. And users can enjoy them simultaneously!

And don’t worry, audiobooks have great value even for kids learning to read. Far from discouraging them, the books offer wonderful examples of fluency and expression that can really encourage young readers.

The app is free to try for 30 days, then you will need to purchase a subscription. The monthly version is $9.99 and the annual one will cost $99.99.