Kid audiobook question

[lessel]

My son (almost 8) started a new school this month and his school library has these audiobooks that pair with the actual books so that he can 'read' along while he listens. He's excited about it and seems really into it although he is struggling to follow along in the actual book. He has dyslexia (hence the reason for the school switch), so the fact he's showing any interest in any kind of reading on his own (other than us reading to him) is really kind of amazing. (We've tried to get him interested in audio books via his Alexa before, but the combo of the listening plus following along seems to be what's sparked his interest.)

I was looking into the 'immersive reading' on the Kindle app and tried it with a 'free on prime' book and I think it will help him follow along because it highlights the text that's being read concurrently with hearing it. I'm trying to figure out what route is the best way to get him access to books that do this... it seems like Kindle Unlimited has access to 'eBooks with Audible narration' but when I look at those titles individually it says I need an Audible subscription. Having to pay for Kindle Unlimited + Audible is something I'm willing to do if that's the only way to accomplish this, but I'm wondering if I'm missing something. We've tightened up budget stuff lately given the new private school expenses we've now got, so I'm just kind of scrutinizing any extra costs.

I use Libby a lot and read on the Kindle app... but not sure of options via that for the 'immersive reading' function. Just wondering if others have figured this out.

[mrsGreeko]

My 11 year old DS is obsessed with audiobooks. We got him an mp3 player (sandisk go sport) and download books from the library for free. It’s a little annoying because the mp3 player doesn’t connect to the internet so I have to download first to the computer and then transfer to the mp3 player, but I specifically didn’t want anything that was more than *just* an mp3 player.

You could do that plus get the physical book from the library to read at the same time. But it doesn’t highlight I guess.

[Jalapeñomel]

My son listens to Audible on a kid's Alexa. He listens to lots and lots of books, so it's totally worth it for us.

He does not try to read along, and even as an adult, that seems super hard!

[glitzy07]

I think my kids use an app at school for this too called Epic. I'm not sure the cost of the app for at-home use, but it could be worth looking into!

[turkletsmom]

My library also uses the Hoopla app. They have a "kid's mode" that makes searching easier. I've downloaded some of the Pete The Kitty series for DD and it's both the audio narration and shows the pages of the book and highlights the words as they're being read. I'm not sure how many series they have like that but might be worth a look since it's free if your library supports it.

[nicolewi]

There is a program that you have to be dyslexic to use called Learning Ally. It seems to be the one most recommended on the dyslexia FB group for my state. I ALMOST signed up once but ended up not doing it. It might be something to investigate, but I'm not sure how it works, and I didn't like having to pay the fee if I didn't know how much it would be used.

It was preferred over Audibleby the dyslexia group but I don't really remember exactly why.

[186momx]

Epic does this. Check with the school to see if they have a teacher's version. Kids can log into it at school but also at home during school hours. DD used this so much during online classes the last couple years. She found out that if she was actively in a book at the end of the school day epic didn't kick her off but she wasn't able to log in at 6pm to use it.

[fancynewbeesly]

DD is 11. She uses both audible and a yoto player. DD2 is 4 and LOVES her yoto player.

[VillainV]

Jan 13, 2023 17:20:07 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

There is a program that you have to be dyslexic to use called Learning Ally. It seems to be the one most recommended on the dyslexia FB group for my state. I ALMOST signed up once but ended up not doing it. It might be something to investigate, but I'm not sure how it works, and I didn't like having to pay the fee if I didn't know how much it would be used.

It was preferred over Audibleby the dyslexia group but I don't really remember exactly why.

I’m confused about “you have to be dyslexic to use.” You need a doctors prescription to use the app?

[nicolewi]

Actually, I’ve always been unclear about the dyslexia requirement. I think you need to provide a copy of your diagnosis. I’m not sure exactly how it works.

I went to their website b/c I was curious. Here's the text from their website. Maybe only some content is restricted for dyslexics?? The fee is $135/year for the dyslexia program, and they are a non-profit with an excellent rating so it's not a scam:

The use of Learning Ally audio books for kids with dyslexia are restricted to those who have a demonstrated learning disability, visual impairment, or physical disability that makes it difficult to read using traditional print. For legal reasons, we require documentation from a qualified professional for each member.

[heygrey]

Ask your school if they have access to Epic and Razkids because they can give you a home login for free. Both have read along features and I think both (definitely Raz) highlights the words as they read them so students can easily follow the text. I have students in grade 5, who independently read at a grade 1 level, but with these programs are able to access the same information as their peers.

[lessel]

Thanks for these recs! Sorry to just reply. Posted yesterday and then unexpectedly had to leave town because my mom’s in the hospital. (She’s doing ok.) I’ll investigate these suggestions!

[arehopsveggies]

It can be really annoying on Kindle Unlimited to find WHICH books have free audio.

[Ashley&Scott]

Jan 13, 2023 21:25:16 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Actually, I’ve always been unclear about the dyslexia requirement. I think you need to provide a copy of your diagnosis. I’m not sure exactly how it works.

I went to their website b/c I was curious. Here's the text from their website. Maybe only some content is restricted for dyslexics?? The fee is $135/year for the dyslexia program, and they are a non-profit with an excellent rating so it's not a scam:

The use of Learning Ally audio books for kids with dyslexia are restricted to those who have a demonstrated learning disability, visual impairment, or physical disability that makes it difficult to read using traditional print. For legal reasons, we require documentation from a qualified professional for each member.

I think it may have to do with copyright laws. Bookshare is a similar organization that also requires documentation of a print disability, their info page does a better job of explaining it. 

www.bookshare.org/cms/bookshare-me/who-qualifies

[gerberdaisy]

We were at the library yesterday and for the first time I notices chapter books that were "wonder books" its a normal chapter book with a speaker attached that reads along with you. Sounds like it would be a good fit and a physical book, if your library has them.

[notreal]

I buy Kindle books sometimes.  It seems whenever I buy them, I can just ask any Alexa in the house to read my book and it will read whatever Kindle Book I am reading at that time to me, starting at the exact spot I last read on the Kindle.  If we are reading two different books at once, I have to specify and then that kindle will only read the book I last asked it to read. 

There has never been a need for me to have a separate Audible subscription or look for book with free audio.  However, the reading is the Alexa voice so it's very monotone and it also puts my son, who has real anxiety about falling asleep, right out, so it meets my needs perfectly.

[Ashley&Scott]

notreal, actual audiobooks are much, much more entertaining. The narrators do it all - different voices for different characters, accents, emotion, etc. I love to read but I LOVE audiobooks even more. I've been reading 120+ books per year for the last few years, all audiobooks.

My 5th grader has dyslexia & his IEP states that he can use audiobooks. So far he has only opted for it once or twice, I'm hoping as he gets older he explores it more.