Introducing Speakaboos – the Love to Read App
Collection Anywhere and the Digital Library are proud to be the first library to bring members the Speakaboos app. Brought to you by the mind behind many of PBS’s early childhood series and geared toward children ages 2 – 6, Speakaboos is an early literacy product designed to introduce children to the joy of reading.
The app is a great resource for parents looking to supplement storytime with interactive, engaging ebooks. With up to three options to read – Read to Me, Read it Myself, and Read & Play – parents have multiple points of engagement. A parent can read aloud a story then allow the child to explore with Read & Play. A parent who struggles with reading can set the Read to Me option and still get to enjoy the joy of reading together. With no account sharing, no need to have the internet, and dozens of books (with more coming), we think this will be a hit with the members.
Don’t have a mobile device? The same Speakaboos experience is available on the Speakboos website.
What's Coming Up?
- May:
Launch - May 15th, 2017- Each location will receive a colorful poster featuring characters from Speakaboo stories.
Add link to Speakaboos on all children's computers.Create and finalize http://www.metrolibrary.org/speaksboos to help members understand the difference between Speakaboos online and Speakaboos app.- Investigate adding the Speakaboos app on all MediaSurfer tablets.
- Promotions on
Metrolibrary.organd Social Media
- June/July:
- Speakaboos bookmarks will be available.
- Online promotion during Summer Reading including a badge for investigating Speakaboos.
- Email to Bedtime Stories member cluster.
Talking Points
- A Love to Read website and app for pre-school children
- Three modes of interaction (read to me, read it myself, and read & play)
- Easy access to scores of kids ebooks – no checkout limit, no holds, no sharing accounts
- A great supplement to library storytime – come to storytime then play at home!
Action Steps
- Visit Speakaboos Online: http://spotic.us/speakaboos1
- Sign up for access to the Speakaboos app: http://spotic.us/speakaboos-app
- Download the app and/or play online
- Tell a parent and/or give it to your kid!
- Let us know what you think
- Log in to post comments
Comments
What a great resource! I am excited to see that Speakaboos will be available to our library members for free. Speakaboos has a value of $70/yr. It's a good way to explain the benefits of a library card to our Bedtime Stories cluster and many other members who are interested in fostering literacy with preschool children. Thanks for your selection.
Is there a chance that a membership could be available for our ABC Mouse that is now available in library use only?
I'm so glad you like it! I hope the smallest members will too :)
Unfortunately, ABCMouse won't allow libraries to purchase remote access. However, I periodically check back in to make sure that's still true. The day they open up, I'm on it!
I love Speakaboos already! I was able to register for a web account and download the app very quickly and easily. (Bonus: When you open the app, it starts with kids shouting "Speakaboos!". It may be the cutest thing I heard all day right after the kiddo who told me today was his best day at the library ever.)
Is it okay to start talking about the app and website with our friends and members or would you rather we wait until the launch on 5/15?
I'm so glad you like it! Have you tried the hamster one yet? I think it's under counting...
I think it's totally fine to mention a great app is coming and talk about Speakaboos, even test the links with family but we want to make sure we have everything ready to go before officially allowing people to use the links and start signing up.
Btw, in your experience signing up and using the app, do we need to have some training or was it intuitive enough with the provided instructions? Thank you!
It was very easy for me. I don't think any additional training is needed. I just searched for Speakaboos on the Apple Store and downloaded the app very quickly. I created an account and was into the web version in no time, too.
I had one of our youngest members tonight follow me around our children's room. Her first preference would have been for me to play puzzles and color with her. Actually that would have been what I would have liked too, but I needed to shelve :) She discovered Launchpads and when I was helping her get powered up, I noticed that Speakaboos were on Launchpads. She loved having the stories read to her.