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Hoopla Digital introduces ‘Read-Along’ children’s books with audio narration

Starting today, digital library service Hoopla Digital is introducing a new line of “Picture Books with Read-Alongs” for young readers. Unlike Hoopla’s normal ebook titles, which feature traditional reflowable text sized to fit device screens, these Read-Along titles are displayed in specific picture-book layouts, much like PDFs. And they feature an audio player with audio narration, as well as highlighting the word currently being read.

The format is launching with titles from Hoopla’s partners Walt Disney Books, HarperCollins, Lerner, Charlesbridge, and Brittanica. As with Hoopla’s other ebooks, read-along titles can be checked out for up to 21 days.

The books look best in landscape format, so that the device can show two facing screens like reading a book. In portrait, it shows one page at a time, which can cut off half of the two-page spreads common in picture books.

The service is launching the new format with about 100 read-along titles, which can be searched or browsed as their own district media category now that they are available.