Thousands of free pdf children’s picture books and books pdf download for older kids, in 40+ subject collections online. Also audiobooks, poetry, reading guides for parents, and books by age group.
Table of contents
Search by Author
Search for an Author’s Books
Try searching for books by author. In the search bar in this link, in the creator field, replace LAST, FIRST with the author’s name. Save books you like to your Internet Archive account by clicking “Favorite” while logged in.
Grade and Age Level Collections
Grade Level Collections
Collections at the Internet Archive’s Open Library and the Universal School Library.
Universal School Library – Grade 3 Level
Universal School Library – Grade 4 Level
Universal School Library – Grade 5 Level
Universal School Library – Grade 6 Level
Children’s Books – Topics
Subject Theme Collections
Cultural Literacy and Humanity Collection from Universal School Library
Identity (Philosophical concept)
Mysteries and Detective Stories
Newberry Medal-winning Books 1920s-2020s
Audiobooks for Children
Free Audiobooks at Internet Archive for Children
Most books were published before 1928.
Adventure Stories for Children
History Books for Young People
Nature Stories for Young People
Children’s Poetry
Children’s Poetry
Reading Guides for Children’s Fiction
Children’s Core Collection
Fiction and Story Collection
Corsaro, Julie, et al.
Wilson 2015
The Guide to Fiction and Story Collections has thousands of books recommended for children from pre-school through Grade 6, containing review sources and professional aids for librarians. H.W. Wilson has been a major publisher of reference works for librarians for more than a century.
Something about the Author (Volumes 1-238)
Kumar, Lisa, ed.
Gale 1971 – 2012
“Facts and Pictures about Authors and Illustrators of Books for Young People” – Publisher.
100 Best Books for Children
Silvey, Anita
Houghton Mifflin 2004 Dewey Dec. 016
The author’s “long experience as a book reviewer and editor makes her list pretty much spot-on… . Each title gets a short essay that not only discusses the book and what it has meant to its audience but that also supplies wonderful behind-the-scenes information. … A helpful list, ‘Beyond the 100 Best,’ points parents in the right direction for more good reads.” -Booklist.
The Best Children’s Literature: A Parent’s Guide
Trachtenberg, Ellen
Parent’s Guide Press 2003
“With more than 1,000 titles represented, this book comes complete with developmentally appropriate recommendations and an extensive subject index that enable children, parents, caregivers, and educators to find books that are appropriate for particular skills and levels of interest. Also included are interviews with parents and children about their favorite books, a list of awards and their recipients, featured author profiles, and discussions on developing children’s love of reading in this age of multimedia.” – Publisher. Free children’s picture books pdf download.
Vintage Reading Guides for Children’s Fiction
VINTAGE BOOKS – Young People Reading Guides
List of Series and Sequels for Juvenile Readers (Useful References Series)
Wead, Katharine H.
Faxon 1923.
The volume lists all the books in each of more than 100 series for children and teens.
Children’s Catalog of Thirty-Five Hundred Books: A Guide to the Best Reading for Boys and Girls
Based on fifty-four selected library lists and bulletins; arranged under author, title and subject; with analytical entries for 700 volumes
Wilson, H.W.; Bacon, Corinne, comp.
Wilson 1917
Children’s Catalog Supplement: A Guide to the Best Reading for Boys and Girls
Four Hundred and Fifty Books chosen chiefly from books published between June 1, 1916, and January 1, 1918; arranged under author, title and subject; with analytical entries for 78 volumes
Wilson, H.W.; Bacon, Corinne, comp.
Wilson 1918
Includes children’s American historical fiction books.
Related Pages on Century Past
These Century Past Pages May Be of Interest
Comic Books and Graphic Novels