Free Books for Babies by Mail (and More Free Reading Programs)

Reading to your baby is one of the best things you can do for them, and it doesn't have to cost a thing. Here's how to get free books for babies and young kids, including the program that mails them straight to your door.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: a free book every month

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is the best-known way to get free books for babies by mail. Enrolled children get one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from birth until their fifth birthday. That's up to 60 books.

It's 100% free to families because a local program partner, such as a library, school district, charity or state program, pays for the books and shipping. That also means it isn't available everywhere. It currently reaches about 1 in 6 U.S. children under five.

How to sign up:

1. Go to the Imagination Library website and enter your address to check availability.
2. If your area is covered, register your child with their name and birthday.
3. Books usually start arriving in about 8 to 10 weeks.

Reach Out and Read: free books at checkups

Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit that works through pediatricians. At participating practices, which are in all 50 states, doctors and nurses give your child a new book at well-child visits from infancy to age five and show you simple ways to read together. There's nothing to sign up for. Just ask your pediatrician's office if they take part.

Your public library

The library is the most underrated freebie for parents. With a free library card you can usually get:

• Baby and toddler storytimes, which double as a chance to meet other parents.
• Unlimited board books and picture books to borrow, plus e-books and audiobooks through library apps.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a free reading challenge run by many libraries. Every book you read together counts (library books, books at home, even storytime), and kids get prizes and a certificate along the way.
• Museum and zoo passes to borrow at many branches.

Barnes & Noble summer reading (grades 1 to 6)

Once your kids are in school, Barnes & Noble's summer reading program lets children in grades 1 to 6 earn a free book. Kids read eight books and log them in a reading journal, then bring the finished journal to a store to pick a free book from a featured list. In 2026, journals could be redeemed from July 1 to August 31, one book per child.

More ways to build a home library for free

• Registry welcome boxes sometimes include a board book. See the baby registry welcome box guide.
• Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood let you take a book and leave a book.
• Ask for books at your baby shower. A "bring a book instead of a card" request fills a shelf fast.

Looking for more? Our big guide to free baby stuff covers everything from free formula samples to a free breast pump.

How we research: we check every offer against the brand's or program's own website before publishing and when we update a guide. Programs change, so always confirm the details at the source before you sign up. Read our editorial standards, or tell us about a correction. Some links may be affiliate links; see our disclosure.