# Reading Train Starter Books — Early Readers, Songs & Quizzes

> Early reader app with books, songs, quizzes, and dictionary for children. (iPhone/iPad app by The Learning Station, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Learning Station, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/702227887)
- Category: Education, Books
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 28 App Store ratings · 73 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 1.3 GB
- Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China)
- Released: 2013-11-25
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884/reviews.md

## What is Reading Train Starter Books?

Every child can learn to read with this growing library of 300+ engaging beginner books, songs and quizzes. Complete reading curriculum building skills, self confidence, vocabulary and a love of reading.
FREE: Try 33 books, 21 songs, play the train games and use the 450+ word dictionary for FREE.
Grand Prize Winner of the 2015 Technology and Reading Award, International Literacy Association.
"No other app is as specifically tailored to the needs of beginning readers." KinderTown.com
"Beautifully designed storybooks and related games that teach foundational reading": Appolicious.com
"A vast selection of mini books to help kids reach reading independence" Geeks With Juniors.
Access the whole library of over 300 books with a FREE trial for 30 days when you sign up for an auto-renewing subscription. Choose $1.99/month; 6.99 for 6 months or 9.99 for a year! (U.S. Dollars) All subscriptions are renewing. You may turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings.
Safe for Kids: The Learning Station is a Proud Member of Moms With Apps and the Know What's Inside Program.
Kid tested and parent/teacher approved. We are ad-free and take our users privacy seriously.
View our Privacy Policy here: http://www.readingtrain.org

* Listen, read and record books at 3 different beginning reading levels. 
* Professional narration: American English. All books can be recorded by users.
* Play the train game after every book.
* 450+ word integrated dictionary 
* 20 free song books 
* Unlimited user accounts
* Powerful reporting tools

Books Kids CAN Read. Books Kids LOVE to Read.
Leveled books on numbers, colors, animals, shapes, and science help build the foundational knowledge kids need to succeed  in school. 

Keep in Touch
We welcome your feedback: support@readingtrain.org
facebook.com/readingtrain

How the Reading Train Works-
   * Free users can read/listen/record the first book in every unit, (33 books in all), play the train game, use the integrated 450+ word dictionary, and listen to 21 song books.
   * Subscribers get access to all 300+ books, with new books added regularly.
   * To access our entire library of books, FREE for the first month, choose an automatically renewing subscription for $1.99/one month; $6.99/six months; 9.99/twelve months. (U.S. Dollars)
   * After subscribing, you may need to touch the "Restore" button on the "buy" screen where you purchased the subscription. (You will not be charged again.)
   * The service can be shared with additional iPads you own.
   * Your subscription is for your iTunes account and payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase (subscribing is optional and in a parent-only section of the app).
   * Your Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period
   * Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal   
   * You may turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings- Manage Subscriptions. 
   * No refunds for unused portions of the current subscription are allowed during active subscription period.
   * For help or additional information please contact us at http://www.readingtrain.org/contact/ or send an email to support@readingtrain.org
  * Our apps take privacy very seriously. We do not collect, access or transmit any personal information. Full details of our privacy policy are available here- https://www.readingtrain.org/privacy-policy/
Please read our Terms of Use here- https://www.readingtrain.org/terms-of-use




   * Not compatible with iPad 1.

## Key features

- 300+ beginner books
- Songs and quizzes
- Professional narration
- 450+ word dictionary
- Interactive train game
- Leveled reading
- Unlimited user accounts

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Reading Train | $9.99 | per year |
| The Reading Train | $1.99 | per month |
| The Reading Train | $6.99 | per 6 months |


## What do users think of Reading Train Starter Books?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Engaging for kids
- 💡 Interactive learning
- 🚀 Builds reading fluency
- 🎵 Fun songs and rewards
- 🗣️ Recording feature valuable
- 📚 Wide variety of books
- 🎯 Good for struggling readers
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family sharing appreciated
- ✅ Easy to use
- 🌟 High quality app
- 💡 Vocabulary builder
- 🎧 Clear narration
- 💯 Great for early learners
- 💰 Good value (flat fee)
- 📈 Tracks progress
- 🤩 Kids love it
- 👍 Great support
- 💡 Innovative features
- 💯 Highly recommended
- 👍 Works for special needs kids
- 💡 Focus on learning
- 💯 Excellent for beginners
- 💡 Repetition aids learning
- 💯 Fun and educational
- 💡 Offers definitions
- 💯 Motivating incentives

**Cons**

- 🐛 No sound issue
- 💸 Charged after trial
- ❌ Cannot unsubscribe easily
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Subscription not shareable
- 👎 Irritating narrator voice
- 🤷‍♀️ Content not for all ages
- 📉 Kids lose interest quickly
- 🚫 App won't open/crashes
- 🤔 Subscription required for preview
- 💸 In-app purchases needed
- 😠 Greedy app perception
- 👎 Boring stories
- 😔 Not impressed with app

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App has no sound
- App does not open/crashes
- Charged after trial period
- Cannot unsubscribe after trial
- Error with earning coins for songs

**Most requested features**

- Higher level books
- More songs
- Update progress across devices
- Dark mode option
- Option to buy content outright (no subscription)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 73)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-starter-books/id702227884/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love it! Wish it had higher level books

*2024-03-27*

My kids absolutely LOVE this app! The only thing I wish is that it had books at higher levels available.

### 1/5 — The app has no sound

*2021-05-05, version 3.6*

I just purchased this because the starter app suddenly has no sound. I thought it was a trick for customers to purchase the full version. My son love this app so I made the purchase but this does not have a sound as well. I have tried turning off then on my son’s iPad as well as deleting and reinstalling the app but nothing works. Is it only me who’s experiencing this? Mind you, this is an expensive App. Please help me resolve this.

### 1/5 — How to delete and not get charged

*2020-04-16, version 3.5*

I deleted this from my phone before the end of the trial period but I still got charged. I can’t find how to unsubscribe after the free trial. Please help.

### 1/5 — Subscription Required?!?

*2019-09-02*

And the subscription cannot be shared! So I need to pay a monthly fee on my iPhone, on my kid’s iPad, and on my husband’s phone?! Unfortunately, I’m going to need to unsubscribe. :(

**Developer response:** Hello,
The subscription can be shared on any device that you own. You just need to go into the parent settings and click on Restore. If you have any further difficulties, please contact libby@readingtrain.org.

### 1/5 — Horrible service

*2019-07-30*

I have tried on numerous times to cancel my subscription and I’ve been charged ! I have not received a email back smh!

**Developer response:** So sorry that you had difficulty cancelling your subscription. We respond right away to emails sent through our website or sent to support@readingtrain.org. Cancellations are handled through Apple as we do not have your billing information. If you are still having problems, please contact us and we will try to help.

### 5/5 — My three boys love this

*2019-06-04, version 3.4*

I have had this app for over five years as my kids learn to read (youngest is just getting into it; oldest hasnt used it for 3 years).  This is a terrific app for the the stages from “knows letters but cannot read” to “reading and adding to word base...about grade 2). 

Here’s what I love:
- pay one flat fee: Like everything, the kids pick this up and cant get enough then drop it for a month and return again. With the one time pay, I dont have to guess whether they will play lots in the next time period.
- family share: who is using which electronic device is like a game of hot potatoes at my house. Love family share!
- works for all three kids: one liked the music section; one didnt. One liked recording himself reading; one didnt. This app worked for all three which is rather unusual for us.
- Great support: I tend to contact companies. I like ones that respond quickly and politely. Top marks for borh with these guys.

Improvements:
-Would love to see the app update the kids progress across different devices but it hasn’t bothered the kids.
- CHECK which version you are buying. The subscription app is the same as the flat rate app. The cost for 1 year is the same as purchasing outright.  

All in all, great app that I highly recommend.

### 5/5 — Great for struggling readers!

*2018-06-20*

I have an 11 year old with autism and he has struggled with reading from the beginning. He started the school year at a kindergarten level and by the end of the year he was at a first grade third month. I believe with the help of this app he was able to be so successful. I love how if he does not know a word he can hold his finger on it and then he can hear what the word is. I like the different categories and levels. I would suggest this app for struggling readers! Now if the programmer can create one with the next levels that would be great!

### 5/5 — Best reading app for beginners

*2017-11-25*

Love the new books. I like that kids can read anywhere and anytime even when you are not connected to WiFi. The Reading Train is hands-down the favorite of my 5 to 7 year old students. This app has everything they need to develop from pre-readers to self confident, independent readers. Kids can get started right away with reading real books. The books are very simple, fun and informative with lots of interesting topics to choose from. There are 3 beginning reading levels so it is easy to find just right books for every child. Kids love to record themselves reading which is a great way for me to assess their reading progress. Every word can be touched to hear it spoken and I love the built in dictionary where kids can hear and see definitions of hundreds of words and build their background knowledge. The train game lets kids practice phonics, spelling and even tests comprehension as kids have to pick items for a category related to the book they just read. My kids love earning coins to spend in the music shop where they can sing along with familiar and new children's songs. I subscribed for a year for just 9.99 which is incredible value as I know we will be using this app every day!
,

### 1/5 — Subscription required from the start

*2017-11-10*

Stupid greedy app- can’t even preview it without a subscription. There’s literally one baby book and everything single other book and level requires you to pay. I’m not signing up for an ongoing payment for an app that might be useless.

**Developer response:** Hello. I am so sorry you found the experience frustrating. We take customer feedback very seriously so have decided to unlock much more free content and offer a 30 day free trial. With any subscription, you can have access to all the books and songs for 30 days without any charge. Our latest update also provides a huge number of free books and songs without the need to sign up for a subscription. The first book in each unit is unlocked, along with all the songs and the 450+ word dictionary. I hope you will consider trying the Reading Train again. Please contact us at support@readingtrain.org if you have other concerns or questions.

### 5/5 — Victoria

*2016-08-25*

This has to be the best app I have found for teaching children to read and spell. After trying so many we found this one and love it.
My son with special needs says "I like it because you work hard to get rewards!" 
He was on this for 3 hours the first time we used it. It has great incentives like earning coins to play songs. You can even record your voice while reading and singing!

## Frequently asked questions about Reading Train Starter Books

### What is Reading Train Starter Books?

Reading Train Starter Books is an educational app designed to help children learn to read. It provides a library of over 300 beginner books, songs, and quizzes, along with features like professional narration and an integrated dictionary to build reading skills, confidence, and vocabulary.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include a vast library of over 300 leveled books, 20 free song books, professional narration, the ability to record user readings, an interactive train game after each book, and a 450+ word integrated dictionary. It also offers unlimited user accounts and reporting tools for subscribers.

### How much does Reading Train Starter Books cost?

The app offers a free version with access to 33 books, 21 songs, and the dictionary. Full access to the entire library of over 300 books is available through a subscription, with options for $1.99/month, $6.99/6 months, or $9.99/year. A 30-day free trial is included with the subscription.

### What devices is Reading Train Starter Books compatible with?

The app is designed for iPads and is safe for kids, being a member of Moms With Apps and the Know What's Inside Program. It is ad-free and prioritizes user privacy. Users can share the service with additional iPads they own.

### What are the common use cases for Reading Train Starter Books?

This app is ideal for parents and educators looking to support early reading development. Children can use it to practice listening, reading, and recording at different levels, build vocabulary through leveled books on various topics, and engage with fun games and songs that reinforce learning.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.9 — 2025-08-23

Brand New Song Book- The Bonny Place I Left My Bone.

### 3.8 — 2023-03-17

Two New Books for Subscribers: Here is My Pet and Who Can Skate?

### 3.7 — 2021-06-02

New Book for subscribers: Story Town-The Animal Race. Squashed some bugs.

### 3.6 — 2020-06-06

New Book for subscribers: Story Town- Going Up and Down. Updated tutorial video. Squashed some bugs.

### 3.5 — 2019-12-13

New FREE Songbook, Sea Shanty: What Shall We Do With the Mucky Puppy; New book for subscribers: Making a Snowman.

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## More apps by The Learning Station, LLC

- [Reading Train: Alphabet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-alphabet/id903741015)
- [Reading Train Alphabet Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-alphabet-lite/id957316999)
- [Reading Train Full STEAM Ahead](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-full-steam-ahead/id962171685)
- [Czytający Pociąg - Darmowy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/czytajacy-pociag-darmowy/id990980241)
- [Reading Train Christmas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reading-train-christmas/id1056021768)

All apps by The Learning Station, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/702227887

## Related topics

[early readers](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/early-readers)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*