CPS Elementary Virtual Library
Browse thousands of titles available through CPS for reading or listening online. Some content is downloadable to digital devices. Search by title or topic, then narrow down results using options in the left menu.
Access: Super secret password -or- CPS account to check out materials; some multi-user titles (search "simultaneous" for list)
How To Video: Use the CPS Virtual Library
SORA App/Overdrive Library
Access hundreds of OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks through CPS. Students with a Chicago Public Library card can connect it to the same account to access thousands more titles through one interface. SORA is also available as a downloadable app for phones and other devices.
Access: CPS account credentials; Chicago Public Library card (optional)
How To Video: Use Sora App for eBooks from CPS and the Public Library
MackinVIA - Clinton eLibrary
A searchable site for eBooks and eAudiobooks from CPS and Clinton library. Mackin partnered with publishers during the school closures to add thousands of additional high-interest, recently published titles for free.
Access: Super secret password -or- CPS account to check out materials; some multi-user titles (in left menu, click More > Multi-user)
Capstone Interactive
This online eBook platform gives access to about 90 titles, many of which include read-aloud features with follow-along text highlighting.
Access: Super secret password; multi-user titles
TumbleBook Library
TumbleBooks offers high-interest books at different levels that are very easy to use and include animation/read-aloud highlighting. Access these eBook and Audiobook databases for free through August:
- TumbleBook Library (K-6 children's ebook database)
- TumbleMath (K-6 math ebook database)
- TeenBookCloud (Gr 7-12 ebook database)
- AudioBookCloud (audiobooks for all ages, link to children's section)
(Teachers: Want to link students to a specific book? See directions here.)
Epic! Books
Teachers sign up for this site and can invite students/parents to have free home access to thousands of high-interest eBooks, learning videos, quizzes, and more for K-5. A lot of the content has a "read to me" feature, and it can all be sorted by Guided Reading level. Teachers can assign content or just let students explore on their own.
Access: Contact reading teacher for class login info; multi-user titles
TeachingBooks Complete Books & Poem Collection
TeachingBooks has many great resources, including this page of links to video and audio recordings of over 1,000 books at different levels. Many also have corresponding activities.
Access: Super secret password; multi-user titles
Audible Audiobooks
Audible, the audiobook branch of Amazon, has made hundreds of titles available for free during school closures. They cover a wide range of genres, interests, ages, and even languages.
Access: No login needed; multi-user titles
International Children's Digital Library
A collection of children’s literature from throughout the world, this site includes eBook titles in many languages and representing stories from many cultures and countries. Site translation is also available in 20 languages, including Spanish and Arabic.
Access: No login needed; multi-user titles
Unite for Literacy’s Unite Books
Free access to hundreds of fiction and non-fiction picture eBooks that help young readers grow, while celebrating their languages and cultures. Books provide audio narrations by native speakers in more than 40 languages.
Access: No login needed; multi-user titles
Storyline Online
Videos featuring actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. There are also activity guides attached to each title.
Access: No login needed; multi-user titles