Vox Books allow young readers to read along while listening to the story. On the inside cover of each title is a Vox Reader and they are super easy to use – just turn it on, press play, and the audio recording will start. The volume can be adjusted, and search buttons enable the child to leap back to hear part of the book again or to move forward. With a built-in speaker and headphone jack, Vox Books can be enjoyed alone by the child or by the whole family and/or friends. These different reading modes can enhance the reading experience for the child through affording control over the reading if using the book by themselves or by providing a comforting, supported and social experience if listening and reading along with other family members or friends. Vox Books do not require WiFi or the support of other devices so they can be taken anywhere, and the rechargeable battery means no need to have batteries on hand.

Reading aloud to children is a crucial aspect of literacy development for many reasons[1] including providing young readers with the opportunity to hear vocabulary and stories – be they non-fiction or fiction –that may be beyond their current reading ability, further enriching their encounters with story and language.

In addition, more specific to Vox Books, research has shown audio read alongs (the use of which is termed audio assisted reading) can assist young readers by

improving a child’s ability to recognize sight words [words that are not easy to decode, such as was, or those that include letter/sound combinations that the child has not learnt yet].

and advancing comprehension – meaning making skills

as well as provide a rich reading model, “fluent and expressive”.[2]

Vox books can be a highly enjoyable reading experience, which will, in itself, help enhance literacy skills and a love of reading. As part of a rich and diverse reading diet, Vox Books can add yet another exciting tool to your child’s reading toolbox.

Find Vox Books on the Library catalogue.

[1] Reading at home | Services to Schools (natlib.govt.nz)

Learning to Read and Write: What Research Reveals | Reading Rockets

[2] Audio-Assisted Reading | Reading Rockets