About KidShelf
We believe every child deserves a patient, encouraging reading companion. That's why we built KidShelf—the reading app that actually listens.
Our Story
KidShelf was born from a simple observation: existing reading apps don't actually help children learn to read. They read TO children, turning kids into passive listeners instead of active readers.
We asked ourselves: what if we could create an app that listens while children read aloud? An app that provides real-time feedback, tracks progress at the word level, and identifies specific sounds a child might be struggling with?
That question became KidShelf—a reading companion powered by on-device AI that works entirely offline, respects family privacy, and helps children build real reading skills through active practice.
Why We're Different
Most children's reading apps are really entertainment apps with a reading theme. They play stories, show videos, and gamify passive consumption. Children feel like they're learning, but they're not building the fundamental skill of decoding words on a page.
KidShelf takes a different approach. We built an app where children do the reading. Our AI listens to every word, provides gentle encouragement for correct readings, and offers support when they struggle. We track 16 different speech patterns—the same ones used by professional Speech-Language Pathologists—so parents can understand exactly where their child needs help.
Privacy by Design
From day one, we made a commitment: your child's voice will never leave your device. While other apps send audio to cloud servers for processing, we built our speech recognition to run entirely on-device. No internet required. No data transmitted. Complete privacy for your family.
This wasn't the easy path—on-device AI is technically challenging. But we believe children's privacy is non-negotiable. When your child reads with KidShelf, their voice stays on your phone, period.
Our Values
Active Learning
Children learn by doing, not watching. Every feature in KidShelf is designed to keep kids reading, speaking, and engaging.
Privacy First
Your family's data belongs to your family. We don't collect, store, or transmit personal information or voice data.
Encouragement
Learning to read is hard. KidShelf provides patient, positive feedback that builds confidence and keeps kids motivated.
Measurable Progress
Parents deserve to see real data about their child's development, not just badges and points.
Works Everywhere
No internet? No problem. KidShelf works fully offline so children can practice anywhere.
Family Friendly
Multiple child profiles, parent controls, and no ads. Designed for the whole family.
Built for Families
KidShelf is built by parents, educators, and technologists who believe technology should empower children to learn real skills. We're committed to creating tools that make a genuine difference in children's reading development.
Join Us
Ready to give your child a reading companion that actually listens? Download KidShelf free and see the difference active reading makes.
Download Free