Read-Along eBooks in OverDrive

Does your child love to read along while listening to a story?  Try Read-Along eBooks!

Some eBooks in the APL’s digital collection have OverDrive Read-along as a format option (represented by an audio icon next to “OverDrive Read” on the title’s details page). This means that those eBooks have professionally recorded narration that plays along while you read.  You can find read-along eBooks on the APL’s OverDrive website by opening a collection or running a search, then selecting OverDrive Read-along under the expandable eBooks filter.

How read-along eBooks work

After borrowing, select “Read now” from your Loans page (under the book icon) to open the eBook in your browser. Then, select “Start Narration” on any page to begin the audio from the top left.  Many read-along eBooks will highlight words, sentences, or paragraphs as the narrator reads them, so the reader can easily follow along.

There are lots of titles to choose from in read-along eBook format.  Favorite characters, series and authors such as Pete the Cat, Olivia the Pig, Star Wars and Jan Brett can all be found in the read-along format. Staff is always willing to hear your suggestions, so don’t be shy about telling us what you want to read!

For more information on how read-along eBooks work, log in to your OverDrive account, click on the HELP icon and search for “read-along eBook.” The library’s Reference Department also offers one-on-one training sessions. Make an appointment at the desk on the second floor, or give them a call at 508-222-0157.