Free Nonfiction Books for Kids
Every child deserves free access to stories that spark curiosity and build foundations for lifelong learning. Our nonfiction books bring real-world facts and fascinating topics to young readers ages 5-9, featuring true information about animals, science, history, and the world around us.
Not the Same
Both of these animals are bugs, but they are not the same kind of insect. They both use their main legs for crawling along branches while they use their other legs to grab at things that they want to eat. The two bug pals are quite short.
Off!
Lights are important to us because they allow us to see at night, help us stay safe, and make it possible to do things like go to carnivals. If the lights went out, it would be a very different world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nonfiction reading important for children in the early grades?
Nonfiction reading builds the background knowledge and academic vocabulary that children need to comprehend increasingly complex texts as they advance through school. The NCTE position statement affirms that nonfiction literature plays a vital role at every grade level. Chall’s Stages of Reading Development (1983) also shows that children who encounter informational text early transition more smoothly from learning to read to reading to learn. On Bookbot, every free nonfiction book is a decodable reader so children practise phonics while absorbing real-world facts.
How can I access Bookbot's free nonfiction books for kids?
All nonfiction titles on Bookbot are free to read on the website, and many also include features such as read-aloud narration or downloadable PDFs. A University of Chicago study found that giving families a free digital book library significantly improved young children’s literacy outcomes, supporting the value of barrier-free access to quality nonfiction.
Do nonfiction decodable books follow a phonics progression on Bookbot?
Yes. Every nonfiction title on Bookbot is aligned to a structured scope and sequence that moves from simple letter-sound patterns to advanced decoding. Ehri et al. (2001) confirmed through meta-analysis that systematic phonics instruction produces significant improvements in reading for children in grades K-3. Nonfiction content adds the extra benefit of expanding world knowledge at every phonics level.
Can reading nonfiction aloud with my child improve their literacy skills?
Reading nonfiction aloud together is highly effective. It exposes children to informational text structures such as headings and cause-and-effect while modelling fluent reading. Manu et al. (2019) found that shared reading interactions significantly support language and literacy development in young children. Many of Bookbot’s free nonfiction books include a read-aloud mode with word-by-word highlighting, making it easy for parents and children to explore factual topics together.