Free Books for Kids
Stocking your bookshelves can be expensive. Here’s where to get high-quality children’s books for free.
1) Public Libraries’ Uncatalogued Collections
US public libraries don’t merely lend books. Some let you take books without check-out or due dates! To learn about this option, ask if your library has free uncatalogued books for kids. Some call these “honor system books.”
While you’re at it, sign up for notification of library book sales. Library sales tend to offer old books for just 25 cents to $1 each.
Corona note: Amid pandemic library closures, many libraries offer outdoor book pickup.
2) Little Free Libraries
Little Free Library is the world’s biggest book-sharing movement. In more than 100 countries this nonprofit organization helps people like you establish tiny libraries outside their homes! Each library is about the size of a kitchen cabinet, and passers-by can take and leave books. Find the choices nearest you at littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/.
Important: To be a good community member, generally you should limit your taking to two books per visit.
3) Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since 1995 Dolly Parton has provided millions of free books to early readers. From birth to five years, each child can receive a book per month via the Imagination Library. The books are carefully chosen to support child development.
Items in the Imagination Library are all published by Penguin Books, and you’ll likely recognize some of the books or characters.
This special service is available in parts of the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
4) Bookstores that Trade
Clear out your old books and bring a new batch home! Many bookstores acquire used books from community members. If they can use your stash, typically they’ll offer a choice of cash or store credit.
5) Craigslist.org
When weather permits, your neighbors might leave boxes of free books outside their homes. Some will mention this on Craigslist.org in the category labeled “Free,” which is a subset of the For Sale section.
6) NextDoor.com
NextDoor helps people communicate with people who live very close (i.e., within a few blocks or a mile). People report lost pets, announce yard sales and so forth. The website or the free NextDoor app could help you score oodles of gently used books!
7) Braille Books Program
The free Braille Books Program provides low-vision and blind children with one Braille book per month. Judging from reader reviews, the stories are a hit! Sign-up is at ActionFund.org.