E-Books

An e-book is a book you read on a screen. E-book is short for electronic book. You can read them on tablets, phones, or special e-readers. E-books let you carry a whole library in your pocket.

How E-Books Work

E-books are digital files, just like music or photos. You download them to your device to read. Some e-readers use special screens that look like real paper. You can change the text size to make it easier to read. Many e-books also have a built-in dictionary.

E-Books vs. Paper Books

E-books are great because you can carry many books at once. They do not take up space on a shelf. You can buy and start reading a new e-book in seconds. But many people still love the feel of a paper book. Both kinds are wonderful ways to read and learn.

Fun Facts

• The Amazon Kindle, a popular e-reader, can hold thousands of books.
• The first e-book was created in 1971 when a student typed the Declaration of Independence into a computer.
• E-readers use very little battery because their screens do not produce light like a phone.

Did You Know?

Many public libraries let you borrow e-books for free, just like paper books. You can download them to your device and they return themselves when the loan period ends!