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E-Resources to Get You and Your Kids Through the Day

By Kelly Patton, Contributing writer | June 2, 2020

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If you're looking for easy - and free - entertainment for kids, try the library. Consider e-books, animated e-books, read-aloud e-books, picture books, graphic novels and more.

Spending too much money on books for your kids? Library buildings are closed to the public, but libraries are still here to help! We have e-books, animated e-books, and read-aloud e-books available for you to download onto your tablet or phone.

The Houston Public Library (HPL) offers online and downloadable books for kids and they are free, you just need a Houston Public Library card. To get HPL’s MyLink card click visit houstonlibrary.org then click on “Get a MyLink Card” in the upper left corner. Students in HISD and Alief ISD already have a Learning Link Card so they can get started right away.

If your kids enjoy reading picture books like Pete the Cat, by James Dean, Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell, or Rules of the House by Mac Barnett, we recommend checking out various book options on Overdrive, Axis 360, and SimplyE, from the Google or App store.

Beginning readers will be mesmerized by read-a-longs and animated books like Stretch by Doreen Cronin on Tumblebooks and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems on Hoopla Digital.

Older kids will also love reading books from Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Avi, Rachel Renee Russell and others. E-audio books are also available.

Are your teens hooked on graphic novels? If so, we recommend they checkout ComicsPlus!

If you find yourself having difficulty accessing any of these resources, you can click on “Ask” at the top of HPL’s website. Someone will be able to help via chat, email, or phone.

And – HPL’s The John P. McGovern Summer Reading Program is still on, it’s just virtual this year!

Happy Safe Summer Time Reading!