Free Adult Literacy Resources
Looking for adult literacy resources on a range of subjects?
Shell Books help people develop reading skills and learn practical information for everyday life. Topics include health and hygiene, farming and agriculture, crafts and skills, education, and the Bible.
Designed for Translation
Many communities have limited access to useful reading materials in their own language. Shell Books are designed to help meet this need.
We provide books in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and EasyEnglish. You can use them in their original language or add your own translation while keeping the original illustrations, layout and formatting – the “shell”. This is an efficient and effective way to make reading materials available to more people in their own language.
All books are free to share and adapt for non-commercial use, with attribution, under the CC BY-NC 4.0 licence.
Resources That Support Literacy and Learning
Shell Books combine reading practice with useful knowledge and practical skills. They can be used by literacy programmes, churches, schools, community groups, ministries and individual learners.
“This library is a rich resource for you and those you serve, whether your aim is to practise reading, learn new skills and information, or provide resources in a local language. We would love to hear from you about how you are using our books and your ideas for new topics we can write about for you.”
Sarah McQuay, CEO, MissionAssist
Browse the Shell Books Library Online
Explore hundreds of free literacy books at ma.shellbooks.org.
English
- Crafts and Skills
- Information and Education
- Agriculture and Farming
- Health and Hygiene
- Illness and Disease
- Scripture and Inspiration
Español
- Artesanía y Habilidades
- Información y Educación
- Agricultura y Ganadería
- Salud e Higiene
- Enfermedad y Dolencia
- Escritura e Inspiración
Français
- L’Artisanat et Compétences
- L’Information et l’Éducation
- L’Agriculture et L’Agronomie
- La Santé et L’Hygiène
- La Maladie et le Malaise
- L’Écriture et l’Inspiration
Português
- Artesanato e habilidades
- Informação e Educação
- Agricultura e Pecuária
- Saúde e higiene
- Doenças e Enfermidades
- Escritura e inspiração