Share a kid's story by number: peabody.kids/story/1234
Every story a child makes on Peabody gets a number, so they can tell a friend where to read it. How story numbers work, who can see them, and what keeps them safe.
Every story a child makes on Peabody (peabody.kids) gets a story number, like 1234. Once the story has passed Peabody's safety screens, and if it's gentle or a little spooky, anyone can read it at peabody.kids/story/1234, with no account. The page shows the author's pen name only, never a real name, and stays out of search engines. It's the simplest way for an eight-year-old to say "read my story!" to a friend. Peabody is free through the end of 2026.
Why numbers?
Aaron, who built Peabody, asked a simple question: how would his eight-year-old tell a friend to look at his story? Kids don't have email. Long links are impossible to say out loud. A pen name might be shared by someone else.
A number is easy. "Go to peabody.kids and type 1234." A child can say it on the playground, write it on a card, or shout it across the kitchen.
How it works for your child
- When a child makes a story, it gets a number straight away.
- At the end of their own story, the number shows up big, and Peabody says it out loud, digit by digit, so a child who can't read numbers yet still knows it.
- On My books, each of their stories shows its number, like #1234.
How it works for the friend
There are two ways in:
- Type
peabody.kids/story/1234into a browser. - Or go to peabody.kids, find the Story number box on the front page, type the number and tap Go!
The story opens in Peabody's reader, cover and all, with the author's pen name, and a Make my own story! button at the end for the friend's turn. No account, no email, no sign-up.
What can be read by number, and what can't
A story can be read by its number only when all of these are true:
- the AI safety screen has passed it (with a stronger model's second opinion if there was any doubt);
- it was kept, not blocked or held for review;
- it's gentle or spooky, never scary or horror.
If a number doesn't match a story, or the story isn't cleared, the page says so kindly and shows nothing else.
Privacy: what a reader sees, and what they don't
| A reader sees | A reader never sees |
|---|---|
| The story's title, pages and cover | The child's real name |
| The author's pen name, like Brave Otter | Their age, grade, school or town |
| A button to make their own story | Any way to message the author |
A few more details:
- Children using Peabody without an account have no real name in Peabody at all. They are only ever their pen name.
- The safety screens block contact details, like phone numbers, emails and addresses, and web links, in every story.
- Story pages are kept out of search engines, with a "noindex" tag, because they're children's work. You won't find them on Google.
- There are no comments, no chat and no messages. Reading a story by number reveals nothing about the author beyond the pen name.
One thing worth knowing: a number is short, so someone could try typing numbers to find stories. That's why only stories that have passed the screens, and are gentle or spooky, can be opened this way, and why nothing personal belongs in them. A good habit to teach: no real names, schools or addresses in the idea box.
How this fits with the library
Stories children make on Peabody without an account never go into the public library. The library's open shelves hold Peabody's own stories, written for every level from Pre-K to 8th grade. Sharing by number is the one way a child's own story reaches someone outside, and it only happens because the child chose to give someone the number.
Ideas for sharing at home and at school
- Write it on a card. A "read my story" card with the number makes a great handmade gift for a grandparent.
- Story swap. Two friends each make a story, swap numbers, and read each other's.
- Read it aloud together. Open a friend's story and have your child read it to you. That's practice, with a reason.
- Make a sequel. A friend's story might inspire your child's next one. Tap Make my own story! at the end.
Questions parents ask
Can anyone read my child's story?
Anyone with its number can read a story that has passed the safety screens and is gentle or spooky. They see the story and the author's pen name, never a real name. Story pages are kept out of search engines.
How does my child find their story number?
It shows big at the end of their own story, where Peabody also reads it aloud digit by digit, and as #1234 next to each story on My books.
Can people comment on or react to my child's story?
No. There are no comments and no messages on numbered story pages.
Will my child's story show up on Google?
No. Story pages carry a noindex tag so search engines leave them out, and stories children make are never put in Peabody's public library.
What if a story isn't appropriate to share?
Scary stories and anything blocked or held for review can't be opened by number at all. Every story goes through Peabody's safety screens before it's shown to anyone, including the child who made it.
Checked against how Peabody works on 4 October 2026. Written with help from AI. Peabody is a reading app, not a reading assessment: if you're worried about your child's reading, talk to their teacher.