Children's E-Books?

nancy sv · Sep 20, 2009

We're desperate. We are now in Colombia and are having a very, very difficult time finding anything in English for our boys to read - and they are going crazy without books! We plan to buy some Kindles for them as soon as we figure out a way to get them down here, but in the meantime...

Anyway, we do have 2 computers with us, so I was thinking maybe I could download some e-books for them so they´ll have something when we aren't using the computers for other things. It's not perfect, but it'll help! However, I have no idea where to look for children's e-books (or adult e-books either, for that matter). Any suggestions?

Thanks!

alleycat · Sep 20, 2009

You need to make sure a Kindle will work in Columbia. It uses a wireless system, and it might not work there on another network. You might be able to connect it to your computer and download the books, I'm not sure (Amazon probably has a FAQ page).

Another option might be to use a close relative or friend's library card who lives in the US. My library carries a number of e-books.

There are also some children's story magazines online.

abctriplets · Sep 20, 2009

I think you just need to volunteer your kids to be everybody's beta readers

nancy sv · Sep 20, 2009

Apparently we can connect with the Kindle via internet to download the books - or so I've been told! I hadn't thought about the library - I'll see what the Boise library has. I've already got a card there.

We don't mind buying e-books - we just have to find them!

alleycat · Sep 20, 2009

nancy sv said:
We don't mind buying e-books - we just have to find them!

You could browse through the Amazon lists. They're not perfect, but the reviews would probably help to find some good books for kids. You could do a search for children's books that have gotten at least a four star rating.

lonestarlibrarian · Sep 21, 2009

Definitely check with your library's resources. Our library, for example, lets its users read ebooks for free from NetLibrary-- ordinarily, a subscription for an individual would cost about $50. They also have subscriptions to downloadable audio books. Sometimes there are restrictions, though-- you need to initially sign up for your account via a library computer, or a username/password combo might only be available at your library's refdesk, so be sure to check into how your library is structured.

Depending on your childrens' ages, you might try a source like the Int'l Digital Children's Library at http://en.childrenslibrary.org/ . Or, if you/they like vintage books, you might try the Rosetta Project's Children's Books Online at http://www.childrensbooksonline.org/ --lots of cool old books there, but it's not for everyone's taste.

)

Terie · Sep 21, 2009

You can get some great public domain books at The Gutenberg Project. Being as its public domain, you won't find modern stuff, but with luck, you'll find things that will tide you over until you get e-readers.

Gigi · Sep 21, 2009

Try Barnes and Noble.com -- you can download a free e-reader and purchase e-books through it to read on the computer. They also have a free app for the iPhone, which works quite well. Not all titles are available in the e-format, but there are a number of both children's and adult books.

Hope that helps!

Kitty Pryde · Sep 21, 2009

Some more resources here: http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/archives.html#children
These tend toward the old-timey, but there's still some fun stuff here: http://www.munseys.com/detail/mode/cat/20/Children

Angela_785 · Sep 21, 2009

Nancy, how old are your kids? A friend of mine decided to put a few of her books up for download here: http://www.jodykihara.com/

Stijn Hommes · Sep 22, 2009

Yes, I'd like to know what age they are too. I've got two books in mind, but I need to dig up the title to one of them. Unfortunately, they're wildly different. One book is for about 12 and up the other could probably be read by an advanced 8-year-old. I don't want to recommend something that wouldn't fit them. Also, do they have a particular favorite genre?

nancy sv · Sep 24, 2009

The boys are 11 (twins) and are quite advanced readers, although they certainly love their 2nd or 3rd grade stuff as well! The problem is that they can go through a typical kids' novel in an hour or two.

I got a bunch of stuff from Gutenberg, so we're happy for right now. And - I've figured out a way to get Kindles sent to us here in Colombia, so we're hoping to have them within a couple weeks!! YAHOO!!

Thanks for all your help!

abctriplets · Sep 24, 2009

Holy cow. I finally checked out your blog. I can't believe how much you've done with your twin boys. I feel extremely lazy just sitting at home raising my kids

fringle · Sep 25, 2009

Yes, the Kindle will work! I've taken mine all around the world and I've uploaded books from my computer in tens of countries.

Stijn Hommes · Sep 26, 2009

Check your PMs, Nancy. I sent you a couple of recommendations.

nancy sv · Oct 3, 2009

Thanks all! We are expecting our Kindles to be waiting for us when we arrive in Cali in four days! Can't wait - I am soooo tired of searching for English books for hte boys!

ABCtriplets - It really isn't that big of a deal to travel with the kids. We just take it slow and steady...

Lauretta · Oct 6, 2009

Try as well this website:

http://www.goanwap.com/ebook-0-0-0.html

You will find Enid Blyton Series, Nancy Drew Series, Hardy Boys Series, Sherlock Holmes and The Three Investigators series. I know they are quite old, but who knows, they might like those anyway.

davemill · Oct 11, 2009

Although perhaps intended for children younger than 11, a new resource is available from Disney. 500 books from the Disney book catalog are now online. (Whether this is a good or bad thing is your call). Not cheap, but reasonable if you buy a lot of books. If you had 4-8 year old twins, it would be perfect.

http://disneydigitalbooks.go.com

nitaworm · Oct 12, 2009

Oh, btw, my book comes out in e-book form Feb, 2010. Check out my website with your kids and see if they are interested. You'll be able to order it on all major book websites. www.lmpreston.com

fringle · Oct 13, 2009

I don't know if it's too late or not, but you might want to return those Kindles and get the new international Kindle!

Children's E-Books?

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

alleycat

Still around

abctriplets

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

alleycat

Still around

lonestarlibrarian

senior bean supervisor

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

Gigi

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Angela_785

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

abctriplets

fringle

always abroad

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

Lauretta

In the fantasy word.

davemill

nitaworm

AW Addict

fringle

always abroad