OTTAWA – What better time than Library Month to make available a new exciting addition to Ottawa Public Library’s children’s collection? Children aged 4 to 12 can now benefit from the multiple advantages of the Read-along collection which includes picture books, early reader books, non-fiction and chapter books.These books offer built-in audio features that can be charged with any micro-USB charger. By pressing the audio-player button, with or without headphones, parents and children can listen to the stories while flipping through the pages and looking at the images.
October is Library Month and this new Read-along collection is sure to add to the “Joy of Reading” that OPL is highlighting this year. Read-along books appeal to various learning styles and engage visual, auditory and tactile senses, making them an excellent tool for building literacy skills as well as fostering the joy of reading. Read-along books help children expand their vocabulary and learn pronunciation while the multisensory experience can also strengthen skills such as listening, focus, coordination, independence and confidence.
As many children’s audiobooks have moved to digital formats, the need has grown for screen-free audio options. Read-along books have been selected to fill this gap with the intent to appeal to a wide range of users, including children who are learning to read, parents looking for screen-free activities for children, children and teens with reading disabilities and reluctant readers. Read-along books are very easy and intuitive to use, with simple buttons and audio instructions.
Educators can use Read-along books to support the teaching of different sounds and words for early readers or as a support tool to teach English as a second language or English immersion. The Read-alongs are published only in English.
Read-along books are available for browsing at the following OPL branches: Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Cumberland, Greely, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Manotick, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gower, Richmond, Rockcliffe Park, Rosemount, Ruth-E.-Dickinson, and Sunnyside. However, OPL clients can make a hold request online and pick up the Read-along books at the branch of their choice. The OPL website includes the Library’s entire catalogue, online registration for a free OPL library card, information about the wide range of library services available, including more details about the Library Month “Joy of Reading” celebration.