Reading practice for kids
30 short texts in five levels, from five-line stories to long articles. Tap any word to hear it, listen to the whole text, then answer the questions. Every text can be printed.
Just starting out?
Begin with the letters and first words, then move on to the stories.
Level 1
40-80 words · about ages 8-10 · Very short texts in simple present-tense sentences, about everyday things.- My Cat MitziStoryA child describes the family cat, Mitzi: what she looks like and what she does every day.
- The Lion and the MouseFableA tiny mouse wakes a big lion, and later turns out to be the one who can save him.
- A Day at the BeachStoryA family spends a hot day at the beach with a sand castle, watermelon and a sunset.
- CamelsFact textA short fact text about camels: where they live, what is in a hump and why they are called ships of the desert.
- Hanukkah LightsStoryA child tells how a family celebrates Hanukkah with candles, a spinning top and doughnuts.
- My BirthdayDiaryYoni writes a diary entry about his ninth birthday: a crown at school, a park party and a gift from a friend.
Level 2
90-150 words · about ages 10-12 · Stories, fables, letters and short fact texts, now with the past tense.- The Ant and the GrasshopperFableA busy ant prepares for winter while a grasshopper only sings and dances. What happens when the cold arrives?
- Our Neighbor, the MoonFact textWhy the Moon seems to change shape, why nothing lives there and who has walked on it.
- A Letter from the KibbutzLetterGrandma Rina writes to her granddaughter Tamar about the first rain, picking avocados and a new chicken coop.
- The Hoopoe: Israel's National BirdFact textHow the hoopoe was chosen as a national bird, what it looks like and what it eats.
- Lost in the MarketStoryElla gets lost in a busy market in Jerusalem and remembers exactly what to do.
- Dear Diary: My New BikeDiaryA girl writes about the bike she got for her birthday and her first ride with her brother.
Level 3
150-220 words · about ages 12-14 · Medium-length texts about nature, space and travel, plus diaries and emails.- The Dead SeaFact textThe lowest place on land: why people float in it, why it is called dead and why it is shrinking.
- The Boy Who Cried WolfFableThe well-known fable of a young shepherd who shouted "Wolf!" as a joke until a real wolf came.
- Sunrise at MasadaDiaryA diary from a school trip: climbing the Snake Path in the dark and watching the sun rise over the Dead Sea.
- Sea Turtles on Israel's BeachesFact textLarge sea turtles lay their eggs on quiet beaches. Learn about the danger of city lights and the people who protect the nests.
- Mars, the Red PlanetFact textWhy Mars is red, how cold it gets, the biggest volcano in the solar system and the robots that explore it.
- An Email from HaifaLetterShira writes to a pen pal in Canada about her city: the mountain, the tiny underground train and the Baha’i Gardens.
Level 4
220-300 words · about ages 14-15 · Longer fact texts, a fable, a diary and a letter for confident readers.- How Volcanoes WorkFact textWhat magma and lava are, where most volcanoes are found and what is left of volcanoes in the Golan Heights.
- The North Wind and the SunFableA contest between the North Wind and the Sun: who can make a traveler take off his coat?
- Four Hundred BoxesDiaryA teenager writes about volunteering at a food bank for the first time and packing holiday food boxes.
- A Home in OrbitFact textHow fast the International Space Station travels, what life is like without gravity and the second Israeli in space.
- Ein Gedi: An Oasis in the DesertFact textWhere the springs come from, which animals live there and what ancient finds tell us about the oasis.
- A Letter to My Future SelfLetterA fourteen-year-old writes to herself ten years from now about her life, her dreams and her questions.
Level 5
300-400 words · about ages 15-18 · Long articles, an opinion essay and short stories with more complex ideas.- The Sharks of HaderaFact textWhy dozens of sharks gather every winter near a power station, what researchers learn and why you should keep your distance.
- The Language That Came Back to LifeFact textHow Hebrew became an everyday language again: Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the words he invented and the people who helped.
- The Last BusStoryNoam misses the last bus home and meets an old man on the bench who has a story of his own.
- Where Did the Stars Go?Fact textLight pollution: why most people can no longer see the Milky Way, how it harms animals and people, and how to fix it.
- Should Homework Be Banned?Opinion essayA student argues about homework, with points for and against, and suggests another way.
- Grandpa's WatchStoryYael inherits an old pocket watch and discovers her grandfather's story of coming to a new country.
Reading gets easier with practice, and practice is more fun when the text is interesting. These texts cover animals, space, holidays, travel, history and everyday life, so there is something for every reader.
Each level builds on the one before it. Level 1 uses short sentences and common words. By Level 5 the texts have longer paragraphs, opinions and ideas that ask the reader to think. Word counts are shown for every level so you can see how the texts grow.
How to use them: pick a level, read the text once without help, tap any word you do not know to hear it, and then answer the questions. Later, listen to the whole text read aloud and read along. Adults can print the text and the answer key.
Frequently asked questions
How do the stories work?
Read the text, and tap any word to hear it said aloud. Use the listen button to hear the whole text read slowly. At the end there are comprehension questions with instant feedback.
Which level should my child start with?
Level 1 has very short texts of 40 to 80 words in simple present-tense sentences. If a child reads it easily and answers every question, move up one level. If they stumble on many words, go back one level.
Can I print the texts?
Yes. Every text has a print button that makes a sheet with the text and the questions, and a separate answer key for the adult.
Are the texts free?
Yes. All the texts, questions and printable sheets are free, with no sign-up.
Explore more: Learn the ABC, First words with pictures, and English home.