Epic!: Children's Books and Videos Library for Educators

Epic! is a comprehensive digital library with unlimited access to thousands of high-quality children's books, videos, audiobooks and educational resources. Designed specifically for children ages 12 and under, this platform provides educators with powerful classroom management tools, personalized reading experiences, and robust progress tracking features — all completely free for teachers and librarians.

What is Epic!

Epic! is often referred to as the "Netflix for kids" — a digital library platform that provides unlimited access to over 25,000 carefully curated children's books, audiobooks, "read-to-me" books, and educational videos. Created by parents concerned that their children are spending more time playing games and watching videos than reading books on digital devices, Epic! makes quality reading material instantly accessible.

The platform offers personalized recommendations based on reading interests and levels and provides educators with robust classroom management features, such as progress tracking, assignment features and Google Classroom integration. For educators looking to promote literacy in the digital age, Epic! is a powerful and cost-effective solution that kids will love to use.

Main Features and Benefits

Extensive Content Library

Epic! digital shelves contain more than 25,000 high-quality books, including Caldecott and Newberry Award winners, popular series, and educational content across fiction and nonfiction. The collection includes award-winning fiction to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) as well as thousands of nonfiction books in STEM, science, math, history, and more. Content is constantly updated so that fresh material is available throughout the school year.

Personalized Reading Experience

The platform intelligently tailors reading recommendations to each child's interests and reading level. This personalization helps students discover books they really enjoy while providing them with appropriate reading challenges. The user interface is designed to be easy for young children to use, so they can browse independently in a safe, controlled environment.

Powerful Tools for Educators

Epic! offers educators with exceptional classroom management features. Teachers can create student profiles, track reading progress, assign specific books to individual students or groups, and monitor engagement. The platform provides Accelerated Reader (AR) and Lexile level information, making it easier to select appropriate books for different reading abilities. Monthly reading challenges further motivate students with fun reading goals.

Multi-Format Accessibility

Content is available in multiple formats to support different learning styles and preferences. Students can access traditional e-books with interactive features, listen to professionally narrated audiobooks, "read-to-me" books with highlighted text and watch educational videos — all on the same platform. This variety helps to meet different learning needs and keep students engaged.

Comprehensive Resources for Educators

In addition to the digital library, Epic! offers educators valuable additional materials. These include implementation guides, ideas for classroom activities, presentation materials for family reading and writing nights, printable resources and thematic collections aligned to curriculum requirements. The Epic! blog offers additional teaching tips, book recommendations and pedagogical insights.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Epic! offers numerous benefits that make it a valuable resource for classrooms:

• Completely free for teachers and librarians in brick-and-mortar schools
• Extensive collection of high-quality, award-winning children's books from a variety of genres and subject areas
• Safe, child-friendly environment that allows for independent exploration without concerns about inappropriate content
• Instant streaming with some download options for offline reading during field trips or limited connectivity
• Support for up to 4 student profiles within a single account as well as administrative access for teachers/parents
• Comprehensive progress tracking and reading analysis to support teaching
• Seamless Google Classroom integration for optimized classroom management
• AR and Lexile level information to facilitate the selection of appropriate books
• Motivational monthly reading challenges to encourage consistent engagement
• Significant cost savings compared to buying individual digital or physical books

Cons

Despite its strengths, Epic! also has some limitations:

• The search function is notably limited, making it difficult to search for specific titles without exact spelling
• Some titles are only available as audiobooks without accompanying visual components
• Difficulty searching for user-created collections without direct links
• There are variations in quality within the content library, with some materials being less engaging
• Limited customer service options (mainly email support, no phone support)
• Parent/homeschool subscriptions require a monthly payment ($7.99), although educators get free access
• Content is primarily geared toward kids 12 and under, limiting its usefulness for higher grade levels

Platform Accessibility

Epic! provides flexible access options across multiple devices and platforms:

• Web browsers via the Epic! website interface for desktop and laptop computers
• iOS devices such as iPads and iPhones via the Epic! App
• Android tablets and smartphones via the Google Play Store app
• Chromebooks provided by the school via the web interface or Android app compatibility
• Interactive whiteboards and classroom display systems via browser access

This cross-platform functionality ensures that students can access their reading material, whether in the school computer lab, on classroom tablets or potentially from personal devices with appropriate subscription access.

Technical Data

Epic! offers robust technical features designed specifically for educational institutions:

• Content library with over 25,000 books, videos, audiobooks and interactive quizzes
• Age-appropriate material for beginning readers to upper elementary/middle school level (ages 2-12)
• Reading level identification using both AR and Lexile frameworks for appropriate adaptation
• User management with support for multiple student profiles in a single teacher account
• Data security protocols to protect student privacy and information
• Offline reading capability for downloaded content (depending on device storage)
• Accessibility features including read aloud and customizable display options

Integrations

Epic! can be seamlessly integrated into the most important educational platforms:

• Google Classroom integration for streamlined student profile management and assignment distribution
• School roster synchronization features to simplify classroom setup
• Sharing links and collections for curriculum integration
• Export options for reading data and analytics

Standards Compliance

Epic! strictly adheres to educational data standards and privacy requirements:

• COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) compliant for handling children's data
• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) compliant for the protection of educational records
• Privacy commitment to ensure the protection of student data and appropriate use policies
• Regular security audits and privacy protocols

Target Audience

Epic! is specifically designed for:

• Elementary school teachers (K-6) seeking digital literacy resources
• School librarians and media specialists who are building digital collections
• Reading specialists and reading facilitators who need level-appropriate materials
• Elementary school administrators implementing digital reading initiatives
• Teachers who teach at home and need comprehensive digital resources
• Parents who want to supplement school reading programs (via a separate subscription)

The platform is especially valuable for educators working with diverse learning needs, as its various content formats accommodate different learning styles and reading levels in a single classroom environment.

Pricing and Licensing

Epic! offers different pricing structures depending on user type:

All subscriptions begin with a free trial period that allows users to test the platform before committing to a paid subscription. The educator version remains completely free after verification of the teacher's credentials.

Information about the Company

Epic! was founded by parents concerned about the quality of children's digital reading experiences and the accessibility of good books on digital devices. The company focuses exclusively on educational content for children and adheres to strict privacy standards and quality commitments for the education sector. The company's privacy promise ensures the protection of teachers' and students' data and provides transparent guidelines for the collection and use of information.

Conclusion

Epic! is a powerful digital library solution for educators who want to use technology to improve literacy in the classroom. With its extensive content collection, educator-focused features, and completely free access for teachers, the platform effectively combines traditional reading experiences with digital engagement. While there are some limitations with the search features and organization of content, overall the platform is an excellent resource for elementary classrooms.