New stories, favorite characters, and a few big surprises—start reading Epic’s September book releases for kids now!
September’s here, and so are the latest new books for kids on Epic! This month’s book releases for kids include daring adventures, wild facts, cool characters and even a new book release from Cat Ninja (our most popular series, which was recently featured in the New York Times!).
From phonics-powered flights to out-of-this-world science, animal facts to mystery-packed missions, there’s something for every curious mind.
First up? A fan-favorite hero is making a big return…
Cat Ninja Book 44: Dial D for Detonator
Author: Matthew Cody
Age 6–10 | Read To Me
Get ready, because Cat Ninja is back with a mission that’s bigger, louder and more explosive than ever!
Dr. Detonator has returned, and he’s holding the final key to Adonis’s missing memories. It’s up to Cat Ninja and the crew to stop his plan before everything goes boom. (No pressure.)
And here’s what makes this one extra awesome: it’s a Read-To-Me book with fun voices, sound effects, and music that turn every page into a full-on adventure. Kids won’t just read the story—they’ll feel it.
Learn About Reindeer
Author: Katie Peters
Age 4–7
Reindeer (also known as caribou!) are some of the most fascinating creatures in the animal world—and this book is full of fun facts to prove it. With leveled text and eye-catching photos, it’s perfect for curious readers who want to learn more about how reindeer live, eat, and thrive in the wild.
All About Penguins
Author: Katie Peters
Age 4–7
Who doesn’t love a penguin? With their funny waddles, sleek feathers and icy adventures, this book is a go-to for kids who love learning about nature’s coolest birds.
Inside, kids will uncover fun facts about different penguin species, like how they survive freezing temperatures, what they eat (spoiler: it’s a lot of fish!) and how penguin parents care for their fluffy chicks. With lively text, adorable photos, and plenty of “Did you know?” moments, All About Penguins is a perfect pick for anyone who’s ever wondered what it’s like to belly-slide across the ice.
I Am the Thirsty Desert
Author: Darcy Pattison
Age 5–10 | Read To Me
The desert has a story to tell… and in this Read-To-Me book on Epic tells it beautifully!
With vivid, lyrical language and breathtaking illustrations, the desert becomes a character all its own—sharing secrets of scorching sun, swirling winds and the incredible plants and animals that call it home. Every page brings new wonders to discover.
And thanks to the fun voices, rich sound effects, and immersive storytelling that families love about Epic Read-To-Me books, the desert doesn’t just speak—it comes alive.
Phonics Focus: The Launch
Author: Christina Earley
Age 5–11
Join Autumn and August on a thrilling trip to the launchpad, where every “au” word fuels the countdown to adventure. Designed with the Dyslexie font to support all readers, this space-bound phonics story makes learning take flight.
Part of the brand-new Phonics Focus series, The Launch is just the beginning and is one of the best phonics books for early readers. Other books in the series include Phonics Focus: The Movie, Phonics Focus: Hoops and Phonics Focus: The Feast.
Venus: Earth’s Twin
Author: Bruce Betts
Age 7–10
It’s the hottest planet in the solar system, wrapped in clouds and full of mysteries—say hello to Venus!
This bite-sized nonfiction book explores why Venus is often called Earth’s twin, even though it couldn’t be more extreme. With clear, kid-friendly language and eye-catching visuals, it’s perfect for space-loving readers who want to dig into the wild world of our closest planetary neighbor. One of thousands of educational books on Epic, this title is great for early science exploration or kicking off a classroom space unit!
Sammy Specter: Private Investigator, Public Terror
Author: Avery Spooks
Age 7–10
Meet Sammy Specter—ghost, detective, and absolute chaos magnet. When strange things start happening around town, Sammy is on the case… whether anyone asked him to be or not.
This spooky-funny mystery is packed with twists, laughs and just the right amount of weird. A perfect pick if you’re looking for the best STEM books for kids that blend science with storytelling.
Lionel Messi: Soccer’s Golden Striker
Author: Leslie Holleran
Age 9–12
Epic is packed with biographies and nonfiction books for kids, highlighting real-life heroes and trailblazers. And we think kids are going to be extra excited about this latest addition about Lionel Messi. From his childhood in Argentina to becoming one of the greatest players of all time, Messi’s journey is legendary. This inspiring biography celebrates the heart and determination of a soccer icon who changed the game forever.
Nicole Aunapu Mann: First Native American Woman in Space
Author: Colleen Sexton
Age 9–12
History was made when Nicole Aunapu Mann soared beyond Earth’s atmosphere. From her roots in California to commanding missions at NASA, Nicole’s story is one of courage, determination, and trailblazing achievement. As the first Native American woman in space, she inspires future generations to dream bigger, reach higher and never stop exploring.
For young readers who love adventure and real-life heroes, Nicole’s journey shows that the sky is never the limit.
Barbie: From Doll to Cultural Icon
Author: Liz Sonneborn
Age 9–12
She began as a simple fashion doll, but Barbie quickly became so much more. Reinvented through decades, she has inspired dreams, sparked change, and reflected the world around her. From toy box to cultural icon, Barbie’s story is one of imagination, influence, and unstoppable possibility. This book tells that story, starting with the moment that inspired Ruth Handler to create Barbie all the way up to the 2023 movie sensation starring Margot Robbie.
Let’s get reading!
We hope your young readers enjoy these new books for kids on Epic (and thousands more)! Whether they’re just getting started or devouring series left and right, there’s something new to get excited about this month.
Want to see what else is on Epic? Or read more from the books highlighted here? Log in or subscribe to Epic today. Happy reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What are Read-To-Me books on Epic?
Read-to-Me books are some of the best books for early readers, allowing kids to read on their own even if they can’t read yet. They feature human narration and sound effects to bring the story to life, plus the book pages with text highlighting so kids can enjoy the pictures and follow along while they listen. Read-To-Me books have a green audio icon at the bottom-right corner, so you can identify them right away.
▶ What are the best Read-to-Me books on Epic for kids?
Epic has thousands of Read-To-Me Books, from comics to chapter books to nonfiction titles. Cat Ninja Book 1: The Great Hamster Heist, How I Met My Monster, and Scribbles and Ink: Out of the Box are some of the most popular Read-To-Me books.
▶ What educational books on Epic are best for kids?
Epic has thousands of educational books and videos on everything from science to history to technology. Whatever your kid is interested in, there’s a book about it on Epic. Some recent educational books include Venus: Earth’s Twin and Phonics Focus: The Flight. Other favorites include our National Geographic Readers, Weird But True and dozens of Sesame Street titles.
