story books in pdf

25+ Children’s Story Books for Free! [PDF]

* If you have doubts about how to download free books from InfoBooks, visit our guide to downloading books .

In our constant search for free books to share, we have made a special place for our little ones to receive the best Children’s Story books.

With great care we have selected an important group of titles aimed at the spoiled of the house, for their delight and learning. All the chosen texts are in PDF format to make them easier to download and read.

On the other hand, we are more than aware that a book constitutes a rich source of knowledge and useful and beneficial information for everyone, and especially for children. That is why we chose to take the time to collect the best free titles, which can provide fruitful and didactic entertainment to our little ones.

It is well known that reading constitutes one of the best habits that human beings can acquire. It is an activity that brings great and diverse benefits with short, medium and long term repercussions. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that children begin to be interested in books and their content from the very moment they become conscious.

The idea that children should be interested in books even before they learn to speak and read is one of the most recurrent pieces of advice from experts. With the idea of supporting this recommendation, the specialists have designed books with images and sounds that can attract the attention and awaken the curiosity of the little ones. It is a very effective way to initiate the advantageous ability to read.

For our part, we wanted to collaborate with the positive development of your children by sharing with you a list of more than 25 Children’s Story Books in PDF format.

And if this is not enough, we have included books in Spanish and Portuguese in case you are interested in having them practice a new language.

Here we present our complete selection of Children’s Story Books:

Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoew

Gulliver's travels

Jonathan Swift

James Matthew Barrie

The Three Little Pigs

Gill Education

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Carlo Collodi

Alice Adventures in Wonderland

Lewis Carrol

The Little Prince

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The voyages and travels of Sindbad the Sailor

Thomas Richardson

The Story of Rapunzel

Little Red RidingHood

Charles Perrault

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Translated by Richard F. Burton

The little mermaid

Hans Christian Andersen

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Puss in boots

Jack and the Beanstalk

Joseph Jacobs

The Juniper-Tree

Miss Mulock

Hansel and Gretel

Madeleine Francis

The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Robert Browning

The brave tin soldier

The frog prince

Jacob Ludwig Grimm and Wilhelm Carl Grimm

The story of Blue Beard

Skoletorget Forside

The Three Little Pigs (The Traditional Story)

Brooklyn Technical High School

History of Jack the giant killer

National Library of Scotland

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Andrew Lang

Here ends our selection of free Children’s story books in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!

If you found this list useful, do not forget to share it on your social networks. Remember that “Sharing is Caring” .

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Free Children's Books

Showing 1 - 10 of 50 Free Children's Books

001: HIDE AND SEEK

Categories:  Age 4-7  /  Age 8-12

Was it just another game of hide and seek? No. It was not. First she fell into a deep, dark hole in the ground and then they found a treasure. Did it end there? No! It did not. Read more about this thrilling adventure of Sally and friends in this free illustrated kids’ book. The fun never ends when Sally’s around!

002: Ginger The Giraffe

Read this warm tale of camaraderie and affection set in the wild and beautiful Savannah in our free illustrated kid's book. Ginger the giraffe uses her long neck to save the other animals from the blazing forest fire. Follow them in their jungle paths as they all meet with yet another adventure .

003: DOING MY CHORES

Categories:  Age 0-3  /  Age 4-7

Love shines through this great illustrated kids’ book . Read how a little girl makes chores fun and easy to do. A fantastic addition to your little one’s free bed time story collection.

004: ABE THE SERVICE DOG

Abe was a real Service Dog who dedicated his life assisting BJ, a good family friend. Service Dogs are smart, well trained, well behaved, dedicated, and committed to ensuring their master is safe. This book is intended to bring an awareness of their importance to early readers.

005: SUNNY MEADOWS WOODLAND SCHOOL

The class took a little train and went deep into the woods on their first school trip. But things didn’t go as planned and a whirlwind of adventure unfolds in this wonderful free bed time story book.

006: TOOTH FAIRY

A wonderful story that weaves its magic in the child’s imagination, even while imparting an invaluable lesson in oral health and hygiene. This is a story that the children will return to time and again for a fun bedtime read.

007: HAMMY THE HAMSTER

He’s got swag. He wears a tux. He’s a hipster hamster who likes to live free. Join Hammy in his South American home as you read this free story book for kids on your next read aloud day.

008: THE CASE OF THE MISSING SMILE

Detective Peterson is trying to find where Sally Sue lost her beautiful smile. And she finds it..right in her heart, hidden from sight. Read this imaginative story of a little girl and how she learnt to smile again in this great free children’s fairy story.

009: HOMEWORK - YUCK!

Jamal made a case at the next open house and it mattered much. Download this free children’s book to read about how he chose to stand his ground and took courage to validate his actions. A little bit of honesty and a little bit of courage had gone a long way in boosting Jamal’s belief in himself. Read more in this free children’s real aloud and be truly inspired.

010: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Dr. Zob’s evil plans had failed once again, thanks to his wonder dog, Winston. They were just were they had to be, with Princess Aura at her birthday party. Read on to find out why Winston deserves a big cuddle and a juicy big bone. A big ‘Woof!’ to this wonderful free children’s story book.

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Book Dash gathers creative volunteers to create new African storybooks that anyone can freely print, translate and distribute.

License: CC BY 4.0

https://bookdash.org/

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Bookbot has a mission to address the worldwide issue of shockingly low literacy levels.

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iCharacter creates books, music and videos for children that focus on character building topics.

https://www.icharacter.org/ , https://www.kidible.eu/

↑ Books by Paul Choy

The "Adventures of Little Mouse" books are a charming series of books for children, each featuring stories from the world of Little Mouse and his woodland friends.

https://www.paulchoy.com/little-mouse

↑ Books by Mustard Seed Books

Mustard Seed Books creates high quality low-cost books for beginning readers.

License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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Room to Read is a non-profit organization for improving literacy and gender equality in education in the developing world.

https://www.roomtoread.org/

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Designed to provide children with reading resources, StoryWeaver is a digital gateway to thousands of richly illustrated, open-licensed children's stories.

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Pratham Books is a nonprofit publisher introducing children to the joy of reading.

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3asafeer.com tries to build the reading habits as an integral part of kids' daily life by providing them with really interesting content.

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Short Stories in english

Under the Swan´s Light.

by Elena Méndez

A tale brimming with color and fantasy: Mario reaches out to Susan after 27 years, igniting a resurgence of emotions and feelings in both of them. This leads them to reunite on a paradisiacal island where they experience moments of intense connection. Both must decide whether the love they once shared can overcome the obstacles of their current reality, or if they must fight to break free from the magic that holds them captive.

The Dream of the Goal

In a quiet town called San Juan Tepezontes, Gabo, a boy passionate about soccer, wakes up excited on a sunny morning. The reason for his enthusiasm is the grand final of his favorite team, which will be played that afternoon on the Costa del Sol. Gabo has been eagerly awaiting this day and knows it will be even more special because he will share it with his inseparable friends, Chino, Choco, and Poliducto.

by Gustavo Vinocour

A couple survives a crash an deals with a vital decision about their future.

by Marjorie E Cole

Bo and Bae are two grey squirrels. They are a happy couple. The two of them share a cozy nest located in a hole inside of a tall oak tree. The hole is high above the ground. When you look out of it, you can see almost everything in the wooded area and across the lake. Bo and Bae go out to gather nuts and berries quite often. They also like to help others whenever possible.

Good Guys and Bad Guys

by EM Ariza

Don’t ask me why, but I have to confess that it has always been a secret dream of mine to get to be the bad guy in a movie. I know it sounds weird, but what can I tell you? The truth is, however, that this would not be...

The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales

by Brothers Grimm

The first volumes of Grimm's Tales were much criticized because, although they were called "Children's Tales", they were not regarded as suitable for children, both for the scholarly information included and the subject matter. Many changes through the editions were probably made with an eye to such suitability. But for almost two centuries, the stories of magic and myth gathered by the Brothers Grimm have been part of the way children — and adults — learn about the vagaries of the real world.

The Black Cat

by EDGAR ALLAN POE

"The Black Cat" is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most memorable stories. The tale centers around a black cat and the subsequent deterioration of a man. The story is often linked with "The Tell-Tale Heart" because of the profound psychological elements these two works share.

The Devoted Friend

by OSCAR WILDE

The two main characters in "The Devoted Friend" are a poor man known as little Hans and a rich Miller. The Miller claims to be a devoted friend of little Hans. In truth, he selfishly takes advantage of little Hans at every opportunity. Little Hans' desire to remain the Miller's friend ultimately proves fatal for him.

The Pit and the Pendulum

The unnamed narrator is brought to trial before sinister judges of the Spanish Inquisition. He is condemned to death, whereupon he faints and later awakens to find himself in a totally dark room. He explores the cell and soon finds a pit. The story is especially effective at inspiring fear in the reader because of its heavy focus on the senses, such as sound, emphasizing its reality, unlike many of Poe's stories which are aided by the supernatural.

Beauty and the Beast

by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont

In order to save her father's life, Belle has no choice but to go the Beast's palace and live with him. But will she learn there's more to this monster than first meets the eye? That charming 18th-century tale of the transforming power of love has enchanted generations of readers and listeners down to the present day.

Free English Story Books (Level 1) – PDF

Reading English story books can show you magical new worlds and help you to improve your English. Reading English stories one of the best way to upgrade your English skills.

Reading books will give you a chance to contact with the English language without thinking grammar rules and it is also fun! If you are afraid of reading full novels, check out following popular short stories.

If you take books in your life, you don’t have to look for research papers for sale .  If you have beginner, elementary level of understanding, you will enjoy these English stories for beginners.

1. Girl Meets Boy – Beginner Level

Plot Summary:

“Donna meets Mark on a boat to Spain. She likes him and he likes her, but then Mark sees Donna dancing with his brother Dave. Is Donna in love with Mark and, if so, why is she dancing with Dave?”

  Girl Meets Boy PDF – download

2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Beginner Level

“The adventures and pranks of a mischievous boy growing up in a nineteenth-century Mississippi River town as he witnesses a crime, hunts for the pirates’ treasure, and becomes lost in a cave.”

  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer PDF – download

Check also: English Story Books for Beginners (Level 2-3) Alice in Wonderland Story Book (PDF) Little Red Riding Hood Short Story (PDF) 10+ Classic Books to Read in English PDF

3. The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories – Beginner Level eBook

“A husband and wife sell their most prized possessions in order to purchase the perfect gift for each other, along with other stories.”

  The Gift of the Magi PDF – download

4. Brown Eyes

  Brown Eyes PDF – download

5. The Wizard of Oz

  The Wizard of Oz Story Book PDF – (download)

6. The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

One of the best stories of all time. You can download and read The Little Prince e-book in English down below.

  The Little Prince PDF – download

7. Robinson Crusoe – Beginners Level

Robinson Crusoe is a classic adventure story that has captivated readers for generations. Now we’re delighted to offer a beginner’s level e-book download of this timeless tale, specially designed for English language learners. If you’re just starting to learn English or want to improve your language skills, this e-book is a fantastic way to embark on a literary journey with the story of Robinson Crusoe.

  Robinson Crusoe PDF – download

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I am nt able to download these books

I just downloaded them

I really appreciate for your time and effort bringing up this very important Grammar Book for all students around the world who are not the English native speakers.

Learnenglishteam.com site is the best for beginners who likes learn fist step English language. As well as we can download the book easily than other site 😍

Happy to help! 🙂

thanks for the books

Thank a lot.. This is really helpful for me

Thank you very much for interesting stories. It helps me learning English.

thanks for the books 🙂

Thank you for books 😊 its very fun

Brilliant resources – thanks so much!

That were really nice ebooks and stories. In Girl meets boy.

that were really nice to study with nice stories

thank you so much

hi i love this

thanks a lot for your PDF sharing books.

You are welcome!

I am using your beginner english books for my translate classes, thank you!

I am a beginner. Thanks for short English stories.

thank you so much!

Is their any website for learning free grammar book at free mode? What are all free notes should have to be taken non native english speaker?

We provide some downloadable free grammar and vocabulary books on learnenglishteam.com. You can check them! 🙂

I read the little prince that was very fantastic

Thanks for helping

Awesome stories for English learners.

175 Free Short Story Book Collections in all Genres

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Online Story Books for When Time is ... Short!

Short stories are a fantastic way to get reading without investing huge amounts of time in a novel. We’ve all started a book, got busy and then picked it up only to have forgotten what we have read and have to go back a chapter just to get caught up. If you don’t have time to read every day this is a common problem.

With a short story you can usually get from start to finish in one sitting. In fact, that is basically the definition of a short story.

You can expect all kinds of stories, plots, relationships, and characters. The common theme with shorts is just that – short. It crosses every genre so whether you want action and adventure , science fiction , love stories , or something to make you think differently about the word, it will be available as short fiction.

Shorts have been mainstream popular from the late 18th century but picked up in the 19th century as distribution of the written word grew through newspapers, magazines and books. Many famous authors of well known novels have written short stories when starting out as a way to get published and get their name out there. Others write them for the enjoyment between their big novels. Charles Dickens even wrote shorts.

Fairy tales are also considered to be in this genre. The Brothers Grimm (early 19th century) are especially well known and their stories are read by children and teenagers  to this day.

As already mentioned, the rise of newspapers and magazines supported growth of the short story. In the late 19th century Arthur Conan Doyle wrote short fiction about his famous detective character, Sherlock Holmes. These were published in magazines of the day and brought notoriety to the author and, of course, the character. The success of the Sherlock Holmes is still obvious today in the form of film and television.

Around the same time that Sherlock Holmes was becoming famous, H. G. Wells was writing his short science fiction stories and building his own fan base. Wowing audiences with stories of space and the future.

Today, the internet allows anyone to publish free downloadable ebooks : you'll be familiar with 'posts' on facebook and the like. And there is no shortage of short story anthologies ... but you need to know where to find them! Choosing from the collection here at obooko is one of the easier ways to get into the literary world. Even if you have never read a book before, make it a resolution this year to download a free short story and see how it goes. Then try a novelette before starting your first novel.

Another interesting area that has become popular with the Internet is fan fiction. This is where fans of more famous novels and characters write their own short fiction online using the characters and settings in new ways.

At obooko we have an abundance of free short story collections available to download. Get yourself a collection and sink your teeth into a new story every day. There are many genres to choose from and why not try something new – you don’t have to invest as much time as a full length novel.

All titles in this category are legally licensed for free download in PDF ePub, & Kindle Formats.

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Welcome to ZLibrary, a comprehensive digital library platform designed to provide free access to a vast collection of e-books and articles spanning various genres and topics. In this ultimate guide, we'll explore the benefits of using ZLibrary over traditional libraries and other online sources, helping you discover, download, and maximize your digital reading experience.

What is Z Library?

Z Library is a digital library that allows users to download books for free. The website has many books covering various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and research papers. Users can search for books by author, title, or ISBN, and the website also provides recommendations based on the user's search history.

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Benefits of Using Z-Library

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20 Classic English Books Available as Free PDFs

If you’re looking for free English books online, either in PDF or e-reader formats, start with classic literature .

People have enjoyed these books for a long time, and they still enjoy them today. They contain themes and topics that are relevant to every human being, no matter whether they were born in 1600, 1950 or 2010.

And luckily, many of these books now belong to the public domain and available for free—that’s why you’ll find them readily available to download to your computer, phone or e-reader.

I’ve scoured the internet for some great options to get you started building your digital library. Enjoy!

1. The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

• 2. The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
• 3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• 4. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• 5. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

6. Heidi by Johana Spyri

• 7. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
• 8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• 9. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
• 10. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
• 11. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• 12. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
• 13. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• 14. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
• 15. Emma by Jane Austen
• 16. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
• 17. The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
• 18. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

19. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

• 20. Dracula by Bram Stoker

And One More Thing...

Doctor Dolittle loves animals. He loves them so much that when his many pets scare away his human patients, he learns how to talk to animals and becomes a veterinarian instead.

He then travels the world to help animals with his unique ability to speak their language.

2.  The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne

Does the name Winnie the Pooh sound familiar? Author A.A. Milne is best remembered for creating the fluffy, yellow teddy bear.

But before he became a famous children’s book author Milne wrote a few adult fiction books. “The Red House Mystery” is one of these.

In this mystery novel, the guests in a man’s home become detectives as they try to find a killer—who is one of them!

3.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

“The Secret Garden” is a touching story about the power of friendship.

Mary Lennox is a spoiled and rude little girl sent by her parents to live at her uncle’s huge home. One day while exploring outside the home, she discovers a secret: a locked garden.

The secret garden helps her make a friend, and thanks to the love of their friendship she learns to be a better person.

4.  Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Everything you know about pirates probably came from this one book: wooden legs, parrots on the shoulder and treasure maps.

“Treasure Island” is the story of a boy who sails on a ship searching for treasure, but instead finds himself surrounded by terrible pirates. It’s also a story about growing up, full of action and adventure.

5.  Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

“Black Beauty” is one the best-selling books of all time, and for a good reason—this story about a horse teaches kindness towards animals and people.

The story is told by the horse. It describes his life and the many cruel people and difficult times he had to live through before finding peace.

It’s a great read even if you’re not a fan of horses.

“Heidi” is a book often described as being “for children and for people who love children.”

It does a great job of showing the world through a little girl’s eyes as she explores the mountains in Switzerland. She makes many friends along the way, but also deals with the kinds of fears that a child would have, like being alone and away from the people who love you.

It’s a long book, but one that’s easy to fall in love with.

7.  My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

These days not many of us have butlers (servants hired to care for you and your house) but whenever people talk about a butler, his name sometimes comes up as Jeeves.

That name comes from Wodehouse’s series of books featuring the perfect butler Jeeves, and the many humorous adventures he and his employer had.

8.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Jealousy and revenge are the main themes of “Wuthering Heights,” which is the name of the farmhouse where the story takes place.

This book can be hard to get through, and it’s not because of the vocabulary. It’s a hard book to read because of all the cruelty in it. Still, this is a good book if you’re interested in dramas and passions.

9.  The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Robin Hood is a special kind of thief: he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. This book is a collection of stories about the legendary, kindhearted thief and his group of outlaw friends.

Be prepared for many fun and funny moments, and some with a more serious tone. This book is perfect for reading little by little, since the stories are only connected by their characters.

10.  The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

There are many war books that show how terrible war is physically—all the violence and death. “The Red Badge of Courage” talks instead about the psychological terrors of war.

It’s told from the point of view of a soldier in the Civil War who’s actually running away from the battlefield. It uses many symbols and metaphors to discuss the important themes.

If you can handle the advanced vocabulary, you can find much more meaning hidden in this book.

11.  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

What if you could stay young forever? Dorian Gray makes a deal to stay young forever—while a painted portrait of him shows all the signs of aging.

Of course, it turns out this deal he made might not have been such a good idea after all…

12.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

After being thrown into jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Edmond manages to escape and become rich. With his new money, he tries to get revenge on the people who put him in prison, but his plans don’t quite go like he hopes.

“The Count of Monte Cristo” is about betrayal, love and letting go.

13.  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Tom Sawyer is a troublemaking little boy who’s always causing problems, having fun and enjoying many crazy adventures. In this classic tale by Mark Twain, Tom visits his own funeral, stops a crime and tries very hard to get a girl to like him.

Tom Sawyer is a well-known name in American literature and his stories of adventure are very fun to read.

14.  The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Being invisible sounds like fun, but is it really?

When a man learns how to make himself invisible, all he gets in return is problems and people betraying him. Maybe he should have just stayed normal…

15.  Emma  by Jane Austen

Jane Austen is perhaps best known for her novel “Pride and Prejudice,” which is about life and love for rich, upper-class people in the early 1800s.

“Emma” takes place in the same time period, focusing on the character of Emma who is “handsome, clever and rich.”

Emma thinks that she’s great at matching people up to get married, but she soon learns that maybe she shouldn’t interfere with (get involved in) people’s lives so much.

16.  Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan is a wild man, raised by apes in the middle of the jungle. This book tells about his life among the apes and other animals, and what happens when a wild monkey man meets other humans for the first time.

17.  The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

If you met Father Brown, you wouldn’t realize that he’s a great detective. He’s a small Catholic priest who always carries an umbrella—the kind of person who’s easy to forget.

He’s a great thinker, though, and he can see people for who they really are. “The Innocence of Father Brown” has 12 short stories where the little priest uses his knowledge of human nature to solve mysteries.

18.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Creating life from death is Dr. Frankenstein’s dream. When he finally brings a dead man to life, things don’t work out the way he wants.

If you know the Frankenstein monster, you might think he’s a terrible creature.

But this book tells the real story of Dr. Frankenstein’s creation, named only “the monster.” It turns out that the monster might not be such a monster after all.

If you love detective books, you’ll love “The Moonstone,” which might be the first detective novel in the English language!

It has everything that a good mystery needs—a precious jewel is stolen during a young woman’s 18th birthday party.

Who stole the jewel and where is it now? Follow the trail of the thief in this book.

20.  Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula is one of the best known vampires of all time. If you’ve watched any movies about Dracula, you might be surprised at what the actual book is like.

It’s an epistolary novel, which means it’s written completely in the form of letters, and the story of Dracula is told through other people’s points of view.

It’s an interesting look at the first “modern” vampire, and it’s really a great read.

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If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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How To Turn Any Book Into A PDF Or eBook

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Nowadays, many people prefer digital books over their physical copies, and for good reason. Digital books don't take up space in your bag or table, can be conveniently accessed from virtually anywhere, and are searchable, which makes them ideal for referencing later (it can take time to find specific passages in a physical book, but mere seconds on an eBook). Unfortunately, you won't always find a digital copy of the book you need, especially if it was published way before computers. In such cases, you might want to convert that physical book into a PDF or eBook that you can then read on the eBook apps on your iPhone or Android.

There are several ways of doing so. You can use your phone, a traditional flatbed or sheet-fed scanner, or a modern smart book scanner. However, keep in mind that while you can digitize a copyrighted book, it doesn't necessarily mean you can freely distribute it. Make sure to use your digital copy for personal research or archival purposes only.

Read more: 12 Smart Gadgets You Didn't Know Existed

Method 1: Using A Document Scanner Mobile App

One of the easiest and cheapest non-destructive ways to create a PDF/eBook from your physical book is with your smartphone. All you need to do is install a document scanner app , available on the App Store or Google Play Store, and you can start digitizing your book. These apps work by photographing each page, compiling the captured photos into a single document, and saving the document into specific file types, such as PDF, Microsoft Word, and JPG. Adobe Scan is among the top choices for scanning physical books as it comes complete with a tool dedicated to such purpose. Here's how to use the app:

• Download and install Adobe Scan on your phone.
• Launch the app.
• Sign in with your email or Google, Facebook, or Apple account.
• Allow access to your camera.
• Tab on the Book tab to change the capture mode. This lets you capture both book pages simultaneously, but Adobe Scan will separate them into different pages in the compiled document.
• Open your book and line the spine with the dotted line in the middle of the screen.
• Tap on the capture button. By default, Adobe Scan will also take photos of your book automatically once it detects the presence of the pages.
• Once you're done, tap on the photo preview in the lower right of the screen.
• (Optional) Use the editing tools to modify each photo.
• Tap on Save PDF to save the document.

Method 2: Using A Traditional Scanner Paired With A PDF Compiler

Using a scanner app can be tricky; you might have blurry and unusable photos. If you want a better-quality PDF/eBook, you can go the manual route by using a high-volume scanner to manually scan the pages of your book. You can then convert and compile these images into a PDF using your preferred software. You can use the online tool JPG to PDF , where you can upload up to 20 images and convert the JPG files into a single PDF , or install the free Pixillion Image Converter on your computer.

There are two types of scanners you can use: flatbed and sheet-fed. For the flatbed scanner, you need to scan every page separately. This can result in a slow and tedious digitization process. For the sheet-fed scanner, on the other hand, you'll have to go through the extra step of de-binding your book (melting the glue on the binder with a heat gun to separate all the pages). However, this can be faster than using a flatbed scanner since modern sheet-fed scanners can scan both sides of the paper at the same time. Highly-rated scanners on Amazon include the Epson Perfection V39 II , Canon CanoScan Lide 300 , and HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer with Scanner for flatbed scanners and Brother DS-740D Duplex Compact Mobile Document Scanner , Canon imageFORMULA R40 , and Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Sheet-Fed Document Scanner for sheet-fed scanners.

Method 3: Using A Smart Book Scanner

Depending on your book's length, you might spend hours digitizing it using a document scanner app or a flatbed/sheet-fed scanner. These techniques are not only time-consuming, but there are also instances when you can't capture the entirety of the page because of the book's curvature. You'd have to flatten the book as best you can or de-bind it completely. If you're looking for a quicker and more efficient digitization process that also addresses concerns about curved pages, a smart book scanner is a more suitable option for you.

Smart book scanners use HD cameras and other sophisticated imaging technologies to take high-quality images of the book pages. This accelerates the process into minutes instead of hours (some smart book scanners claim to scan a 300-page book in under ten minutes). This type of scanner also features automatic page flattening for minimizing page distortions, optical character recognition (OCR) for analyzing a text-filled image and converting it into an editable format, and a dedicated app that eliminates the need for third-party software. You can use the app to set your scanning preferences and create a PDF of the captured images. Popular smart book scanning options include CZUR Shine Ultra , VIISAN DL8 , and IRIScan Desk 5 PRO . However, it's important to note that smart book scanners can cost more than traditional scanners, with high-end models priced at upwards of $600.

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Story by Rod Serling, Twilight Zone creator, published after 70 years

Daughters of TV great write introductions to First Squad, First Platoon, a story of war in the Pacific released by Strand Magazine

A story of the second world war by Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone , will be published in the US on Thursday after lying among his papers for nearly 70 years.

“I was writing a memoir, called As I Knew Him, My Dad, Rod Serling ,” Anne Serling, one of two daughters, told the Guardian. “And another writer, Amy Boyle Johnston, who had been doing a lot of researching of my dad’s early work and wrote a book called Unknown Serling , sent me the story. She’d found it in the archives in Wisconsin,” at the University of Wisconsin-Madison .

That was 10 years or so ago. Now, the story is published by the Strand Magazine , whose editor, Andrew Gulli, is both a Twilight Zone connoisseur and an old hand when it comes to finding unknown work by great writers. Stories by Truman Capote and James M Cain are among those Gulli has published.

Serling’s story, First Squad, First Platoon, concerns the experiences of American paratroopers in the Philippines towards the end of the war. Serling fought the Japanese there with the 511th Airborne, surviving, as Gulli says in his editorial, “some of the most intense combat of the entire conflict”.

First Squad, First Platoon has five chapters, one each for five soldiers. The description of the death of Melvin Levy is shattering. Amid a long-awaited rations drop, Levy performs a comic monologue for his overjoyed men. After the drop, as Serling describes it, Sgt Edward Etherson “climbed slowly out of his hole, wiping mud from his eyes and grinning broadly. He noticed Levy lying face down a few feet away.

“‘OK, Mel, you can come up for air,’ he said. ‘OK, Mel, start singin’ – they quit droppin’ … Hey Mel … Mel … Levy!”

“He stopped short and noticed that one end of a ration crate sticking up crazily was a lot redder than the Leyte mud. And Levy’s head rested a few feet from the rest of his body.”

The passage is all the more shattering when the reader realises it is true .

Serling, who appears in his own story, died in 1975, aged just 50. Anne Serling and her sister, Jodi Serling, say that like many men of his generation, he did not talk much about his wartime experiences – though he did explain, sometimes, why he screamed in the night.

Jodi Serling said: “I think when you read the story, you have to have the mindset to deal with the tragedy that’s in it. It’s pretty powerful. The first time I read it, I kind of didn’t let it sink in. And now, reading it again, it makes me want to go and hug them. Because my father entered the war right after high school, because that’s where the guys were enlisting. And it’s just amazing that he did what he did and came back somewhat whole.

“While he was over there, his father died at 52. And he was not allowed to return home for the funeral. And I think that was incredibly traumatising, to come home to an empty home, where his dad was gone. So it wasn’t just what he saw in the war.”

Rod Serling wrote First Squad, First Platoon in his early 20s, in the years after the war when he attended Antioch College. Gulli sees “a maturity beyond his years”.

“In terse prose, he delivers the immediacy, sense of place and cutting dialogue you’d expect from Hemingway, Crane or Dos Passos … a powerful, unvarnished look at war in all its brutality – an unforgettable story of ordinary people in extraordinarily hellish situations.”

Anne and Jodi Serling said elements of First Squad, First Platoon surfaced in Serling’s later work, in TV and film. The story would not have been published, however, without the cooperation of Serling’s estate and Nicholas Parisi, a biographer who provided transcription and edits.

Remarkably, the story includes an introduction, entitled To My Children, in which Serling addresses Anne and Jodi – not that he knew then he would be a father of daughters.

Lamenting his misfortune to have been led by politicians who promised “peace in our time” before the world plunged into war, Serling tells his unborn children: “I don’t want you to be among those who choose to forget. I want you to read my war stories and a lot of others like them. I want you to fill your heads with Remarque and Tolstoy and [the US war correspondent] Ernie Pyle. I want you to know what shrapnel, and ‘88s’, and mortar shells, and mustard gas mean.”

The story that follows is published amid hellish war in Ukraine and on the brink of an Israeli invasion of Rafah – to say nothing of other conflicts round the world.

For the Strand, Anne and Jodi Serling provide introductions of their own.

“It’s amazing what my dad went through,” Jodi Serling said. “I was 21 or so when he died. I didn’t really appreciate the impact of what my father was about because I wanted to be my own self. He encouraged me to be independent but I was young, and I would say dumb, not willing to appreciate what my father was offering the world.

“And he’s been gone so long now, 50 years, that I missed out on so much. So I’m learning a lot more about my dad.”

Both sisters hope their father’s story will be widely read, particularly by those who may only know him through The Twilight Zone, its reruns, remakes and reboots.

Anne Serling said: “I think a lot of people still have a lot of respect for my dad. And I think with everything that’s going on in the world, and has gone on in the world, where people are more realistic about war and how dreadful it is, I think the story will be well received. I think people can relate to it. And, you know, he was so young when he wrote it.”

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News Release

2024 ici fact book: essential resource on fund flows and trends in the industry.

Washington, DC, May 15, 2024 —Today, the Investment Company Institute (ICI) published the 2024 edition of the Investment Company Fact Book . Since 1960, the Fact Book , a compendium of the research and analysis conducted by the Institute over the previous year, has served as the most comprehensive source of facts and data about the investment fund industry in the United States.

“ICI’s latest edition of the Investment Company Fact Book presents a wealth of statistical data detailing the current state of the asset management industry as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the mutual fund and the 50th anniversary of the individual retirement account (IRA),” remarked ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan. “These milestones are a testament to the hardworking people immersed in serving American investors through the asset management industry. This year's edition is the most authoritative source of information about our industry today and is an essential resource for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the public.”

“ICI’s Fact Book  continues to help media, regulators, academics, and legislators understand our industry. Its evolution over past 64 years mirrors the dynamic landscape of the asset management industry, and each year it requires the efforts of nearly all of ICI to compile this vast repository of statistics. As our industry continues to adapt and grow, so does the Fact Book , serving as a testament to our commitment and resilience,” said ICI Chief Economist Sean Collins.

Key takeaways in the 2024 edition include:

• Worldwide demand for regulated long-term funds increased sharply in 2023. Worldwide regulated long-term open-end funds had net sales of $781 billion in 2023 compared with net redemptions of $156 billion in 2022.
• Generation Z and Millennial households are well on their way to widespread mutual fund ownership. In 2023, 48 percent of Millennial households and 35 percent of Generation Z households owned mutual funds.
• Assets earmarked for retirement represent close to one-third of US households’ financial assets. Many Americans use mutual funds in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. At year-end 2023, individual account-based retirement savings were 63 percent of total US retirement market assets, and mutual funds managed about half of those account-based retirement assets.

Explore the ICI’s 2024 Investment Company Fact Book here .

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2024 investment company fact book (pdf), top 5 takeaways from ici’s 2023 investment company fact book, ici publishes 63rd edition of investment company fact book.