5.2: Tech resource List

Cost: FREE with library card
What it offers: E-books AND audiobooks
Best for: All ages
Why we love it:
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Thousands of titles
- Auto-return (no late fees!)
- Download for offline use
- Kid-safe
Download: iOS App Store, Google Play, or browse.libbyapp.com
How to start: Need library card number and PIN

Hoopla

Cost: FREE with library card
What it offers: E-books, audiobooks, movies, music
Best for: All ages
Why we love it:
- INSTANT borrowing (no holds!)
- Generous monthly limits
- Great selection
- Auto-return
Download: iOS App Store, Google Play, or hoopladigital.com
How to start: Need library card number

📱 PAID AUDIOBOOK & E-BOOK SERVICES

Audible (Amazon)

Cost: ~$15/month subscription (1-2 credits)
Best for: Families who listen A LOT
Pros: Huge selection, high-quality narration, keep forever
Cons: Expensive if you buy many books
Website: audible.com

Epic!

Cost: FREE for educators, ~$10/month for families
Age range: 2-12 years
What it offers: 40,000+ books, read-to-me, videos
Best for: Elementary families who want unlimited access
Pros: Kid-focused, age filters, progress tracking
Website: getepic.com

Kindle Unlimited (Amazon)

Cost: ~$12/month
Best for: Families with Kindle devices
Pros: Large selection, included with device deals
Cons: Selection can be hit-or-miss for kids
Website: amazon.com/kindle-unlimited

♿ ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Bookshare

Cost: FREE for qualified users (learning disabilities, visual impairments)
What it offers: Accessible books with read-aloud, adjustable fonts
Best for: Children with IEPs or diagnosed learning differences
How to qualify: Requires documentation of disability
Website: bookshare.org

Learning Ally

Cost: ~$135/year (financial aid available)
What it offers: Human-narrated audiobooks for struggling readers
Best for: Dyslexia, visual impairments, reading disabilities
Pros: High-quality narration, synced text highlighting
Website: learningally.org

Voice Dream Reader

Cost: ~$15 one-time purchase
What it offers: Advanced text-to-speech app
Best for: Older kids, serious reading support needs
Pros: Imports documents, adjustable voices, highlights text
Platform: iOS, Android

🎮 HIGH-QUALITY READING APPS

For Ages 2-5:

Vooks

Cost: ~$5/month
What it is: Animated storybooks with read-aloud
Pros: Engaging, high-quality animations, educational
Website: vooks.com

Homer

Cost: ~$10/month
Age range: 2-8 years
What it is: Personalized learning path for early literacy
Pros: Adaptive, multiple activities, tracks progress
Website: learnwithhomer.com

For Ages 5-12:

Epic! (see above)

RAZ-Kids / Kids A-Z

Cost: Teacher subscription (ask if your school provides!)
Age range: K-5
What it is: Leveled readers, quizzes, rewards
Pros: Great for building fluency, tracks progress
Access: Often provided through schools

🎙️ PODCAST & AUDIO STORY SOURCES

Spotify

Cost: FREE (with ads) or Premium
What it offers: Audiobooks (some), story podcasts
Best for: Public domain classics, podcasts
Try: Search “kids audiobooks” or “story podcasts”

YouTube

Cost: FREE (with ads)
What it offers: Many read-aloud videos, some audiobooks
Caution: Ads and algorithm – use with supervision!
Best for: Quick story videos, read-alouds

Story Pirates / Story Pirates Podcast

Cost: FREE podcast, paid membership for more
What it is: Original stories, songs based on kids’ ideas
Best for: Engaging reluctant listeners
Where: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, storypir

ates.com

Brains On! / Smash Boom Best

Cost: FREE
What it is: Science and debate podcasts for kids
Best for: Non-fiction, curious kids
Where: All podcast platforms

🔊 SMART SPEAKER COMMANDS

For Amazon Alexa:

“Alexa, read me a story”
“Alexa, play [book title]”
“Alexa, open Audible”
“Alexa, tell me a bedtime story”

For Google Assistant:

“Hey Google, read a story about [topic]”
“Hey Google, tell me a story”
“Hey Google, play an audiobook”

Tips:

Set up FreeTime/Kids mode for age-appropriate content
Some features require subscriptions
Great for hands-free, screen-free listening

📖 E-READER DEVICES

Kindle Kids Edition

Cost: ~$120
Pros: No distractions, long battery, huge library access
Cons: Black and white only
Best for: Focused readers, older kids

iPad / Tablet

Pros: Multi-purpose, full color, multiple apps
Cons: Distractions, more expensive
Best for: Families who will use for more than just reading

Tip: Many kids don’t NEED a device – phone or tablet works fine!

🎯 QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

✅ Signs of a HIGH-QUALITY Reading App:

Minimal or no ads
Not overly gamified (focus on reading, not rewards)
Age-appropriate content
Ability to track/limit screen time
Educational value over entertainment
Adjustable features (font size, speed, etc.)
Offline capability

🚫 Red Flags in Reading Apps:

Excessive in-app purchases
Requires constant internet connection
More game than book
Inappropriate ads
Can’t preview content
Requires social media/sharing
Collects excessive data

💰 BUDGET-FRIENDLY RECOMMENDATIONS

If you can only choose ONE paid service: → Epic! (~$10/month) for ages 2-12 – best value for variety

If you want everything FREE: → Libby + Hoopla (library card) – amazing free access!

If your child has learning differences: → Bookshare (FREE with qualification) – life-changing access

If you have long car rides: → Audible (~$15/month) – worth it for quality + keeps forever

📊 COMPARISON CHART

Service	Cost	Ages	Books	Audiobooks	Offline
Libby	FREE	All	✓	✓	✓
Hoopla	FREE	All	✓	✓	✓
Epic!	$10/mo	2-12	✓	✓	✓
Audible	$15/mo	All	✗	✓	✓
Bookshare	FREE*	All	✓	✓	✓

*Requires disability documentation

🎯 GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST

This Week: ☐ Get library card if you don’t have one
☐ Download Libby and/or Hoopla
☐ Browse selection with your child
☐ Check out ONE audiobook or e-book
☐ Try listening/reading together

This Month: ☐ Establish car audiobook routine
☐ Try “book + book” combo (physical + audio)
☐ Explore one new app/platform
☐ Set up 80/20 balance
☐ Practice co-engagement

This Year: ☐ Build sustainable digital literacy habits
☐ Maintain human-interactive reading as primary
☐ Use tech as enhancement, not replacement
☐ Model healthy digital reading habits

🔄 ROTATION & REFRESH

Every Month:

Check for new releases in your favorite apps
Rotate between audiobooks and e-books
Try a new genre or format
Return to favorites that are beloved

Every Quarter:

Reassess your 80/20 balance
Evaluate if paid subscriptions are worth it
Try a new app or platform
Update tech as child’s age/interests change

📞 CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT

Libby/OverDrive: help.libbyapp.com
Hoopla: support.hoopladigital.com
Epic!: help.getepic.com
Audible: audible.com/help
Bookshare: support.bookshare.org

Tip: Most library apps have FAQs and tutorials!

💡 BONUS: BROWSER-BASED OPTIONS

No app download needed:

Storyline Online (storylineonline.net)

FREE read-aloud videos
Celebrities reading books
Screen-based but high quality

International Children’s Digital Library (icdlbooks.org)

FREE books from around the world
Multiple languages
Browser-based reading

Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org)

FREE public domain classics
Text-to-speech compatible
Good for older kids

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Privacy:

Use parental controls
Review privacy settings
Don’t share personal info in apps
Monitor what child accesses

Balance:

Remember 80/20 rule!
Digital supplements, doesn’t replace
Co-engagement is key
Physical books still matter!

Quality:

One good app beats ten mediocre ones
Content matters more than quantity
Educational value over entertainment
Age-appropriate always

🌟 TECH SUCCESS FORMULA

High-Quality Platform
+
Co-Engagement
+
80/20 Balance

Expanded Literacy + Maintained Connection

Words That Bloom | www.wordsthatbloom.com
Using Technology to Expand—Not Replace—Connection 🎧