Backed by
and a team of leading U.S. and European investors
Award Winning Reading Program

How It Works

1

Five books, delivered monthly

Each month, you’ll get 5 books, expertly matched to your child's reading level and interests. Use the books with Ello for the month – keep the ones you want, return the ones you don’t.
2

Your child reads to Ello

Your child selects a book from their box and opens the iPad app. Ello, your child's reading buddy and coach, uses state-of-the-art technology to follow along as they read out loud.
3

Ello teaches and motivates your child

Watch your child become a capable and eager reader. Ello brings the text to life, develops their skills using evidence-based coaching, and motivates them with growth mindset encouragement – and a real prize sent in next month’s box.

3 month membership

$65

$75 Value | Save $10

12 month membership

$230

Best Value

$300 Value | Save $70

Looking to get Ello for your own child?

How It Works

1

Five books, delivered monthly

Each month, you’ll get 5 books, expertly matched to your child's reading level and interests. Use the books with Ello for the month – keep the ones you want, return the ones you don’t.
2

Your child reads to Ello

Your child selects a book from their box and opens the iPad app. Ello, your child's reading buddy and coach, uses state-of-the-art technology to follow along as they read out loud.
3

Ello teaches and motivates your child

Watch your child become a capable and eager reader. Ello brings the text to life, develops their skills using evidence-based coaching, and motivates them with growth mindset encouragement – and a real prize sent in next month’s box.

How Ello Works

1
The child grabs a book from the box and opens the Ello App
Grab a book from your box and open the Ello App
2
The child reads out loud to Ello
Your child reads out loud to Ello
3
Ello coaches the child into a confident, capable reader
Watch Ello coach your child into a confident, capable reader

How It Works

1

Five books, delivered monthly

Each month, you’ll get 5 books, expertly matched to your child's reading level and interests. Use the books with Ello for the month – keep the ones you want, return the ones you don’t.
2

Your child reads to Ello

Your child selects a book from their box and opens the iPad app. Ello, your child's reading buddy and coach, uses state-of-the-art technology to follow along as they read out loud.
3

Ello teaches and motivates your child

Watch your child become a capable and eager reader. Ello brings the text to life, develops their skills using evidence-based coaching, and motivates them with growth mindset encouragement – and a real prize sent in next month’s box.

Want Your Ello Box Delivered for the Holidays?

Your Ello gift e-gift card is delivered instantly. Choose your e-gift card amount, answer a few simple questions, and an email confirmation will be sent directly to you. You can also choose to send the gift card straight to the gift recipient so that they can order their child's Ello box in time for the holidays.
The Ello subscription ships with USPS — click here to see USPS estimates for holiday shipping.

Ello Reviews

WHEN do we get our next Ello box??!!!?? We just can't wait!!

Layla, Mom of Ellie, 5yo

He is really happy to sit with a book and work with Ello, way happier than when it's me as his reading coach. As a parent, I'm excited to see him build his confidence.

Marisa, Mom of Dylan, 6yo

My child has literally NEVER asked to read. Never. And last week he asked to read with Ello. Reading almost always ends in crying for us, so this is revolutionary! Thank you!!!

Kimberly, Mom of Will, 7yo

The first time she used it, she said "This is the most fun I've ever had reading!" Last night she took out Ello without us even prompting her. Seriously, she's probably never picked up a book to read without prompting. It's amazing!!

Sarika, Mom of Simi, 7yo

My kid loves for me to watch her read while using Ello! She feels more independent when she can ask Ello to help her instead of me. She isn't struggling with reading thanks to this.

Richard, Dad of Liliana, 7yo

My daughter LOVES Ello. The day we received the box, she used it with so much excitement...the next morning I went into her room to wake her up and she was up and reading Ello all on her own!

Mary, Mom of Khloe, 7yo

What’s included with an Ello Subscription

5 expertly-selected books

Book examples displayed.Bundles will be matched to the child’s reading level and interests.

Ello app subscription

Access to our award-winning reading coach app, synced to 5 delivered books each month.

A prize of their choice

Each month, children can explore our collection of prizes to keep them motivated and having fun.
Ello is the world’s first virtual reading coach that works with real books. Your e-gift card will give the gift of a monthly subscription that will delight and engage young readers and spark a lifelong love of reading.

Why Ello Is The Perfect Gift

Easy and convenient

Answer a few simple questions to get automatic delivery of an e-gift card that you can send directly to the recipient or print at home. The gift receiver can then sign the child up for a monthly Ello subscription and watch the child become a confident, independent reader!

Fun and educational

Ello’s revolutionary technology will have all kids asking to read more. We guarantee it.Ello uses patent-pending speech recognition and adaptive learning technology to engage with the child while they develop critical reading skills.

Loved by Parents and Kids

When a child and a book connect, magic happens. Don’t take our word for it though, check out what parents have said.
gift ello

Who We Are

We’re a tight-knit team with deep experience in K-12 education, childhood development, and technology, who came together to support parents in creating the best learning environment for their child.
Co-Founder, CEO
Tom Sayer
Before Ello, Tom was the head of impact and adoption programs at Google for Education, where his team...
Read MoRE
Co-Founder, CCO
Dr. Elizabeth Adams
Elizabeth is a clinical psychologist who specializes in child development, child behavior, and working with...
Read MoRE
Co-Founder, CTO
Catalin Voss
Catalin previously developed an AI-based augmented reality therapy for children with autism which is currently pursuing...
Read MoRE
Developmental Reading Specialist
Lauren Sittel
Lauren has been teaching and tutoring in the reading field since 2004, and has worked with students from preschool...
Read MoRE
Developmental Reading Specialist
Samantha Brooks
Samantha has been an Educator for the past 30 years.  She currently resides  in Fayetteville, Arkansas with...
Read MoRE
Reading Specialist and Curriculum Advisor
Tiffany Petrillo
Tiffany is a certified reading teacher who has taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for more...
Read MoRE
Software Engineer
Victoria Akeyo
Victoria is a Software Engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield. During her time in university, she worked...
Read MoRE
Software Engineer
Anish Nag
Anish is a software engineer who studied Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) at UC Berkeley...
Read MoRE
Lead Engineer, Backend & Ops
James Mwangi
James is a full stack software engineer who has worked for both startups and innovation labs for local and...
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Software Engineer
Andrew Li
Andrew is a software engineer who previously worked at Apple before joining Ello. While at Apple, Andrew has...
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Software Engineer
Alena Adushkina
Alena graduated from Samara State Aerospace University with a BA in Informatics and Computer Science...
Read MoRE

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

How much is Ello?

There are two currently available versions of Ello.

  1. Ello with e-books: the fully digital experience is $14.99 per month.
  2. Ello with paperbacks: this is $39.99 per month.

*promotions and coupons vary so you may see a different amount.


If you're looking to start reading today without the AI coaching experience, check out our free public library with 700+ decodable e-books!

Discount access for EBT/SNAP participants?

Ello Access is our special discount program designed to support families who are part of government programs. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader, and Ello Access makes our digital reading experience more affordable.

Eligible customers will receive $12 off per month on the Ello Digital subscription, reducing the monthly cost from $14.99 to just $2.99.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for Ello Access, please follow these steps:

  1. Fill out the Ello Access form: Ello Access Form
  2. Upload proof of eligibility: You'll need to provide proof of your SNAP or EBT program participation (such as a photo of your EBT card).
  3. Review period: We will review your submission within 1 business day.
  4. Receive your discount: If approved, we'll email you a unique coupon code to get Ello at $2.99 per month (instead of the regular $14.99 per month)


You qualify if you have an EBT card, or are enrolled in programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP, Medicaid, Direct Express Debit Card (DE), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), Tribal assistance eligibility letter (TTANF), or Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP).

What’s included in my membership?

Ello with E-books:

  • Full App access with digital coaching powered by Adaptive Learn Technology
  • Ello’s library of decodable books
  • Digital prizes for your child’s progress


Ello with paperbacks:

  • All of the above benefits of the fully digital version
  • 5 perfectly leveled books per month shipped to your home to read with the app
  • Physical prize for meeting the previous month’s in-app star goal

How many children can I add to a subscription?

You can add up to 3 reader profiles.

What age range is Ello designed for?

Right now, Ello offers books on reading levels Kindergarten to 3rd grade. We are adding more books all the time so if your child is beyond this or a pre-reader, check back for more updates! Ello is not suited for pre-readers who are not yet decoding basic words.

Generally, Ello works best for children 4–8 years of age but it depends on their reading ability. If they can read the sentence “I am a cat,” they are ready for our earliest level of books! 

How many books does my child get?

At the start, your child will have access to an initial digital library with at least 16 books. As they progress through each quest, they’ll unlock an additional 3 to 5 books tailored to their reading level.

Each quest is like a classroom lesson: they give clear instructions, independent reading materials, and practice activities. With each quest, your child unlocks more engaging content to support their reading journey.

Does Ello have a referral program?

Yes! Ello subscribers have the opportunity to refer new customers to the app in exchange for rewards.

Here’s how it works:

  • Every customer receives a unique referral link when they sign up for Ello (it can be found in “My Account” on the Ello website or in the app)
  • Share that link with friends, family, teachers, or anyone else
  • When someone signs up using your unique link, you’ll be notified by email that someone has started a free trial with Ello
  • If that person finishes their free trial and becomes an Ello subscriber, they will get their first month free, and you will get a free month off your Ello subscription
  • The credit for your free month will be applied to your next monthly payment. If you are on an annual plan, your next bill will be reduced by $14.99
  • For every new customer you refer, you receive an additional free month. There is no limit to how many free months you can earn
Other questions?
Email [email protected] or text (415) 214 8119
How does the Ello app work?

Ello helps early readers break down learning barriers by combining artificial intelligence and speech recognition technology to make Ello come to life. Ello is a revolutionary state-of-the-art interactive reading buddy who listens to your child read out loud. Ello provides support when your child needs help reading, gentle corrections when they make errors, and motivation to keep your child engaged. Appropriately leveled books will be automatically loaded into the app for you!

How does my child use Ello?

At the simplest level, Ello is just like a game they play on an iPad or other device. It’s designed to be easy for kids to use, and all they need to do is tap a book and start reading. When they get stuck on a word, they just tap it for help from Ello. As they complete quests, Ello will challenge them a little more each time, and they’ll unlock new, engaging content to keep them moving along their journey.

How does Ello keep my child engaged?

As your child reads, Ello brings the story to life, provides words of encouragement, and helps them if they get stuck so they don't get frustrated.

We use behavioral psychology and a growth mindset paradigm to keep your child encouraged, help their confidence soar, and build a love of reading. 

Ello offers a reward system as well. In this system, children collect stars and badges, leading up to a completion prize that is either delivered digitally, included in the next box, or both!

My child is reading the words wrong but Ello isn’t correcting them. What’s going on?

Since children can get easily discouraged, Ello leans on the lenient side. We recommend sitting with your child when they read and helping with some of these corrections yourself. 

Is Ello good for kids with dyslexia?

Ello’s instructional method was developed by reading specialists with backgrounds in dyslexia intervention and uses direct, explicit, and sequential phonics instruction. This is exactly what research shows works for helping children with dyslexia learn how to read. Ello is not a comprehensive curriculum or intervention model for dyslexia, it’s a great supplement and we have numerous children with dyslexia using Ello with great success.

What literacy strategies do you use to support my child?

Ello uses proven, phonics-based reading strategies to help your child decode words and develop fluency. 

What device is required for Ello?

The Ello app works on iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 and newer. For a complete list, click here. Please note that Ello does not currently work on laptops or desktop computers.

Other questions?
Email [email protected] or text (415) 214 8119
What kind of books are in the app?

Our digital library has different types of books that are based on the Science of Reading to support your child’s literacy development.

  1. Decodable books. These are books designed to help phonetic skills, encouraging independent reading, reinforcing phonics rules, and building confidence.
  2. Turn-taking books. These books turn reading into a partner activity, with Ello reading a piece then your child taking a turn. It creates a fun and interactive experience that boosts listening skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.
  3. Storytime books. All about fun! Unleash your child’s creativity by crafting their own stories. Ello will read their creations aloud, giving your kid a chance to tackle challenging words and see their progress in action.
  4. Physical books. We have a collection of physical books, including beloved classics, that are synced to the Ello app, and available for an additional fee.
Where do your books come from?

Our physical books are mostly favorite classics. We get them from publishers and you might even already own some of them.

Our e-books in the Ello app come from a special team of authors who specialize in reading education. They are created with the science of reading in mind.

What types of physical books do you send?

Every box of books has to meet three criteria:

  1. Highly engaging
  2. Just the right level for your child’s reading ability
  3. Match common age-based interests

We believe that fantastic books create enthusiastic readers and we work with reading specialists to source classic beloved books and new undiscovered gems. The best part is that we take the guesswork out of finding books that are "just right" for your child – ones that are not too easy and not too hard.

How do you determine my child's reading level?

It’s easy! We’ll ask you a short series of questions after you sign up, and use the answers to estimate your child’s reading level. As they make their way through the program, Ello will automatically adjust to match their level.

If you ever feel the books are too easy or too hard, you can update your child's reading level here.

What does it mean that a book is ‘just right’ for my child? ‍

If a child is reading on the appropriate level, they should make 1-10 mistakes per book. Any more than this and we find they get frustrated and overwhelmed. Less mistakes and we find they get bored and aren’t engaged.

By answering a few short questions, we can help determine your child’s appropriate developmental reading level. We are also happy to set the reading level to whatever they are reading at school, as determined by their teacher.

The books are too hard or too easy. How do I change the reading level for my child?

No problem! We want each child to have the best experience possible. This means making sure they are reading at the right level for their abilities. You can change your child's reading level here. If you have any trouble, feel free to text Customer Support for assistance.

When I unlock new books, will we still be able to read the old ones?

Yes! The books will stay available in the app so you can enjoy them over and over again.

Other questions?
Email [email protected] or text (415) 214 8119
What data do you collect?

If you choose to allow it, we process the audio of your child reading so that Ello can provide real-time support and motivation, and so your child can access certain features of the app, such as listening to themselves read. Separately, you can opt-in to give us access to this data so that we can improve Ello.

We also collect data of your child's progress to provide the service (for example the rewards).

Finally, we collect anonymous and aggregated usage data. See our privacy policy for full details.

What do you do with the data you collect?

It is up to you on what data we collect - it is optional. You will be asked if you would like to opt-in to data collection after downloading the app.

All data is anonymous and aggregated and used to improve the product.

Do you sell the data that you collect?

No. Never.

Do you have ads in the app?

No. Never.

How secure is the data you collect?

It's very secure. We use industry-leading encryption and security.

Other questions?
Email [email protected] or text (415) 214 8119
When does the box ship?

In most cases, your first Ello box will ship the business day after your order or monthly renewal. Occasionally, we may have some questions about your child’s reading level or your shipping address. If that is the case, we will reach out by email. We will also send an email confirmation with a tracking link so you can watch the shipment of your box. Once sent, you should receive your box within 2-8 business days via USPS Media Mail.

Other questions?
Email [email protected] or text (415) 214 8119