A Look at Kids’ Reading Habits—and the Books That Stood Out in 2025
What a year it’s been.
In 2025, millions of kids across classrooms, couches and car rides turned to Epic to explore stories and—without even realizing it—build the kind of habits that last a lifetime.
So before we jump into a brand-new year of reading, we’re pausing to celebrate the incredible things families and educators made possible this year.
27 Million Kids Read on Epic
That’s 27 million young readers who chose to open a book, follow a character and get curious—sometimes for 5 minutes before bedtime, sometimes for hours at school and sometimes because a friend said, “You’ve gotta read this one.”
With access to thousands of free books online through Epic at school, every child had the chance to find something they loved.
We don’t take that lightly. Every click into a story is a tiny decision that adds up to something big.
80 Million Hours of Online Reading
That’s a lot of reading time. Enough to circle the Earth with picture books—or read Diary of a Wimpy Kid from start to finish more than 13 million times (snack breaks and giggle fits included).
Behind that number are all the invisible moments that matter most—when a struggling reader finished a chapter on their own, when a second grader discovered they love learning about deep-sea creatures, when a classroom of third graders burst out laughing over a book they all loved.
25 Million Badges Earned
Sometimes motivation comes in the form of a pixelated sticker. And honestly? We love that.
Because every badge marks progress. A milestone. A moment of “I did it.” Those badges mean something—even if kids don’t always say it out loud. They mean “I kept going.” “I finished.” “I’m a reader.”
This Year’s Most-Loved Reads
Some books just rise to the top—and 2025 had clear favorites.
Most Popular Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Book 1
Still a hit. Still hilarious. Still helping kids feel seen in the chaos of growing up.
Most Popular Series: National Geographic Readers
Animals, volcanoes and space? These nonfiction books gave kids answers and inspired a thousand new questions.
Most Popular Audiobook: Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior
Gaming meets storytelling. Kids hit play and got hooked.
Most Popular Read-To-Me Book: Scribbles and Ink: Out of the Box
A creative, interactive favorite that brought characters and kids’ imaginations to life.
1,178 New Books Added to Epic
This year, we grew our virtual shelves even more—adding 1,178 titles to the Epic library. From picture book read-alouds to fascinating nonfiction, we worked hard to bring kids more of what they love (and a few surprises they didn’t know they’d love yet). Every new book is a new chance to connect, wonder and grow.
More Epic Originals Kids Loved
In 2025, we added 40 brand-new Epic Originals to the collection! These included fan-favorite series like Cat Ninja, Kitten Ninja, Time Buddies and Scaredy Monster. Many of them are leveled readers (Rising Readers) or Read-To-Me books—perfect for supporting young readers at every stage.
We even brought back Cosmic Pizza Party for a surprise new release (yes, really!). And for our creative readers? We dropped how-to titles like Draw Your Own Cat Ninja to inspire art, imagination and maybe a few new comic creators.
Cat Ninja Leapt Off the Page—Now a Toy!
In 2025, Epic fans got something they’d been waiting for—Cat Ninja became a toy.
For the first time ever, the star of our hit Epic Originals series jumped from screen to shelf with a limited release of Cat Ninja figurines. It was the perfect way for kids to bring their favorite ninja cat into the real world—and into their everyday adventures.
A Special Thank You to Our Epic Educator Ambassadors
Before we close the book on 2025, we want to send a heartfelt thank you to all of our Epic Educator Ambassadors—including the 843 new ambassadors who joined us this year, and those who’ve been with us from the very beginning.
You championed reading in classrooms, libraries and homes around the world. Your passion, creativity and belief in the power of stories helped make every milestone we celebrated this year possible.
We’re so proud to have you as part of the Epic family.
These Wins Are Your Wins Too
To every parent who made room for reading after long days, to every teacher who carved out quiet time in loud classrooms, to every child who kept reading even when it was hard: You made 2025 an Epic chapter. Here’s to the next one!
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is Epic?
Epic is a digital reading platform for kids 12 and under. It offers thousands of books, audiobooks and learning videos from top publishers like HarperCollins, National Geographic and more. Kids can explore everything from graphic novels and nonfiction to read-aloud picture books.
▶ Can I use Epic at home with my child?
Absolutely! You can access Epic from a computer, tablet or even a phone—anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re traveling, waiting at practice or winding down for bed, Epic turns everyday moments into meaningful reading time.
▶ Is Epic free to use?
Epic Family is free to try! Explore 40,000+ books and more, all ad-free and available 24/7. Enjoy your free trial, no commitment needed and you can cancel anytime.
▶ How can I make the most of Epic at home?
Let your child choose books based on their interests.
Read side-by-side and take turns reading aloud.
Ask questions and talk about the stories together.
Use the parent dashboard to see what they’ve read and celebrate progress!
▶ How can I help my child see reading as fun and not as homework?
Shift the focus from “minutes and levels” to moments: shared laughter, imagination and conversations. When reading feels like an adventure, kids are more likely to choose it on their own.
▶ How do I get started?
Try Epic for free! You can choose a monthly plan for flexibility or save big with an annual plan.
