Epic! Books for Kids

Epic! Books for Kids

app

Everyone, 2015, Education

WISE
84%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

Netflix for kids' books—40,000+ titles that actually get kids reading, though you'll want to curate for younger ones.

Where to Find

App Store
App Store
Google Play
Google Play
Screenwise Verdict

Epic is legitimately good at what it does: getting kids to read more. The library is enormous, the interface is kid-friendly, and the data backs up that it works—most parents see real reading improvement.

The catch? It's not as curated as you'd hope. Books aren't reliably organized by reading level or age-appropriateness, so a kindergartener can accidentally land on a tween book with scary themes, and a fourth-grader might get frustrated by the lack of clear "here's what's good for you" guidance. You'll need to spend time upfront setting up profiles and teaching your kids how to pick appropriate books.

But if you've got a reluctant reader or a kid who tears through books faster than you can library-run, Epic is worth the subscription. Just don't treat it as a babysitter—at least initially, you'll want to browse together and help them find their footing.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-12, with younger kids (3-6) needing parent help to navigate and avoid age-inappropriate content. Older elementary kids can browse independently once you've set up filters and talked about choosing appropriate books.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Vast digital library promoting reading and learning with age-appropriate content filters. Encourages healthy reading habits with rewards and progress tracking. Parent dashboard allows monitoring. However, books aren't always organized by reading level, which can lead to kids encountering content that's too mature or too simple.

Imaginative
82

Access to 40,000+ books, audiobooks, and learning videos covering diverse topics fuels curiosity and exploration. Multilingual options and various formats (Read-To-Me, audiobooks) engage different learning styles. However, it's a consumption platform rather than a creation tool—kids read rather than make.

Safe
75

Kid-safe environment with no ads in the paid version and content curated for children. Kids mode available. However, Common Sense Media notes that books for older age ranges (11-12) contain moderately violent themes, and the lack of clear age-level organization means kids can stumble into inappropriate content. Subscription model is straightforward without manipulative monetization.

Enriching
90

Exceptional educational value with 95% of parents reporting improved reading skills. ELA tools, quizzes, dictionary lookup, and spotlight words build vocabulary and comprehension. Exposure to diverse books and topics. 9 out of 10 educators recommend it. Genuinely supports literacy development while remaining entertaining.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Massive library means kids can explore whatever weird obsession they're currently into—dinosaurs, unicorns, space, whatever
  • 95% of parents report improved reading skills, and educators love it enough to use it in classrooms
  • Read-To-Me books with voice actors and sound effects bridge the gap between picture books and independent reading
  • Parent dashboard lets you see what they're actually reading (prepare for 47 Captain Underpants books in a row)
  • Multilingual options for Spanish, French, and Chinese speakers
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What to Watch For

  • Books aren't consistently sorted by age or reading level—a 6-year-old can easily click into content meant for tweens
  • Subscription costs money after the free trial (though it's free for educators during school hours)
  • Some older-age content contains moderately violent themes that might surprise younger browsers
  • It's a passive consumption app—great for reading, but won't teach them to write or create

Conversation Starters

  • "What's the weirdest book you found on Epic today?"
  • "Should we read one of your Epic books together tonight, or do you want to pick something from our bookshelf?"
  • "I saw you read three books about sharks—what's the coolest thing you learned?"
  • "Do you like the Read-To-Me books better, or do you prefer reading on your own?"

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