Foster a lifelong love of stories and storytelling in children of all ages with our family-friendly ebookshelf!
The Library has a huge range of free ebooks – 200,000 and counting! – which you can either read online or download for up to seven days.
To get started, browse our latest selection of ebooks suited to children aged 12 and under. You can also scan our monthly curated ebookshelf for some reading of your own, or browse for even more free ebooks !
For tips and advice, read our Get started guide or watch our video on using ebooks.
To access ebooks from home, you need to be a State Library member with a Victorian home address. (Terms and conditions of use apply.)
1111 amazing facts about animals 1111 amazing facts about animals Jack Goldstein
Andrews UK Limited, 2015
Did you know that in medieval times dogs were known to have accompanied their masters into battle wearing suits of armour? Or that cows from different regions moo in different accents? Were you aware that the courtship dance of some seahorses can last eight hours? Or that an albatross flies much further in a lifetime than the Apollo astronauts did on their moon missions?
This fantastic book contains over one thousand facts about a wide range of animals, including dinosaurs, dogs, lizards, insects, sharks, cats, birds, horses, snakes, spiders and fish. So if you want to know what the wagometer was invented for, which fish the Romans used as a recreational drug or what the offspring of a donkey and a zebra is called, then this is the book for you!
Experiment with what a plant needs to grow Experiment with what a plant needs to grow Nadia Higgins
Lerner Publications, 2015
Sunlight, air, water, and minerals help keep plants alive. But do you know how much water is needed for a seed to sprout? Or what a plant will do to find the light it needs? Let's experiment to find out simple step-by-step instructions help readers explore key science concepts.
Kids cook the world Sean Mendez
New Internationalist, 2011
Fabulous dishes from around the world, from jollof rice to fajitas, are presented with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step colour photos throughout. Each recipe is made with no-fuss ingredients found in most supermarkets.
The book features fascinating facts and stunning photos on all the countries featured and is published in partnership with UK charity, Solidarity Sports, whose community work is designed to help children reach their full potential.
Beyond the solar system: exploring galaxies, black holes, alien planets, and more Beyond the solar system: exploring galaxies, black holes, alien planets, and more Mary Kay Carson
Chicago Review Press, 2013
Tracing the evolution of humankind’s pursuit of astronomical knowledge, this resource looks deep into the furthest reaches of space. Children will follow along as the realisation that the Earth is not at the center of the universe leads all the way up to recent telescopic proof of planets orbiting stars outside the solar system.
In addition to its engaging history, this book contains 21 hands-on projects to further explore the subjects discussed. Readers will build a three-dimensional representation of the constellation Orion, see how the universe expands using an inflating balloon, and construct a reflecting telescope out of a makeup mirror and a magnifying glass. It also includes small biographies of famous astronomers, a time line of major scientific discoveries, a glossary of technical terms, and dozens of full-color images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.
Film it: YouTube projects for the real world Film it: YouTube projects for the real world Carolyn Bernhardt
Checkerboard Library, 2017
Film it: YouTube projects for the real world is packed with projects inspired by the features and functions of the popular social media site. Young filmmakers or podcasters will learn how to create a storyboard, make a stop-motion video, and more.
An introduction to YouTube, vibrant photos, and step-by-step directions bring each physical project and digital activity to life.
Inventors and scientists Julia Adams
Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2019
Women have always made great contributions to science, and some of the greatest inventors in history were women, but for far too long many of these individuals weren't recognised for their accomplishments. For example, even today, many people don't know it was a woman, English mathematician Ada Lovelace, who wrote the first computer program.
Readers of this accessible volume will learn about Lovelace and many other inspiring women who changed the course of history through their inventions and contributions to science.
The innovative parent: raising connected, happy, successful kids through art The innovative parent: raising connected, happy, successful kids through art Erica Curtis and Ping Ho
Swallow Press, 2019
Even the best talk-based practices in parenting can be limiting. How can art help parents temper storms of emotion, defuse sibling conflicts, get teeth brushed, and raise happy, successful kids?
In The innovative parent , Erica Curtis and Ping Ho integrate cutting-edge research, years of clinical expertise, and their own parenting experience into a revolutionary yet practical guide to creative parenting. Plentiful illustrations and anecdotes bring concepts to life and show art in action with kids and parents.
The 100 greatest superhero films and TV shows The 100 greatest superhero films and TV shows Zachary Ingle & David M. Sutera
Rowman & Littlefield, 2022
In The 100 greatest superhero films and TV shows , Zachary Ingle and David M. Sutera celebrate over 80 years of superhero cinema and television. Featuring blockbusters such as Black panther and The dark knight , Ingle and Sutera also include lesser-known yet critically acclaimed shows like The boys , cult films such as The toxic avenger , and foreign series like Astro boy to provide a well-rounded perspective of the genre.
All one hundred selections are evaluated based on qualities such as plot and character development, adherence to the original source materials, technological innovations, and social impact. The entries cover both live-action and animated films and TV series, and almost a third of the entries are not associated with Marvel or DC—a testament to the genre’s variety in its eighty-year history.
