Not since Eric Carle’s The Very Quiet Cricket (Philomel) chirped at me have I been as surprised when I opened a book.

Frankly, I read a lot of books for young readers, so one specific title doesn’t usually surprise me…but that changed this week when I opened a book called The Adventures of Cali (Omniscent Corporation).

The book talked to me — literally.

Inside the book was a small device called the “iRead2You Interactive Voice Recorder” which can record up to a four minute message. It can be placed inside a book as it was in Cali or record a message about the book.

Just think of the possibilities!

Books read on video are used to unite military parents and their children , but this device may make that even easier.

It can also help connect incarcerated parents with their children.

Children can practice reading aloud and then listen to themselves.

Young readers can be encouraged to listen for a specific part of a book or make verbal recommendations, sort of a mini-commercial for a book.

What do you think of this little device? Is it a wonderful development or another gimmick? How might you use it with children to encourage reading and connecting with and through books?

I think you may find it a sound surprise!

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
April 28, 2008
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