Get kids reading with free online books
Parents know just how important it is to encourage their kids to read books to develop literacy skills. However, there are other reading options besides physical books and the Internet has some great resources to encourage kids to embrace the written word.
One such site is MeeGenius, which has a collection of classic kids’ stories that are retold and illustrated to bring them up to date for a new generation of young readers. The site’s 22 titles include perennial favourites such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and a selection of Beatrix Potter stories.
Each story has accompanying audio and each word is highlighted as it’s spoken to aid beginning readers with word recognition. The stories can be read as written, but as a nice touch, you can also individualise them for your child just by entering a few personal details — if you register on the site (it’s free), you can save your customised books and share them with friends and family.
MeeGenius stories are also available as apps for the iPhone and iPad.
Gail Lipscombe has worked for some of Australia's hottest tech magazines for over 10 years. In her blog, she focuses on demystifying technology, gadgets and the web for average consumers.