Audio books have become my family’s new favorite way to entertain ourselves. I absolutely love to read aloud with the family, but sometimes I’m just tired or I would like to sit myself and just knit!
Until recently, I avoided audiobooks. It wasn’t that I didn’t like listening to books. My issue with audiobooks was that they were expensive or the ones from the library required a CD player in order to listen to them.
eAudio Options
Thankfully, there are some new audio book options I’ve been made aware of. Our local library uses a program called Overdrive to download eAudio books. There’s even an app you can download for your smartphone! Simply log in using your library card and search for your favorite titles. Not only can you request audio books, but also digital book copies. My absolute favorite part of this program is that you don’t pay late fees. Ever! Once the books are due, they are automatically removed from your device.
Search for your local library on Overdrive and begin downloading Free Audio books!
Playaway
Another family favorite has become Playaway (pictured above). Be sure to look for these at your local library. They are a gem. They are definitely my favorite device right now. Unfortunately, only one of the library branches in my area carries these.
Playaway is an iPod Shuffle-sized device that you (or the kids) can carry around to play audio books. All you need to provide is a pair of ear buds and a AAA battery. It has been great for books that I would love my kids to read, but maybe we don’t have time. For instance, this year we studied modern history and WWII. I really wanted her to read Number the Stars, but we just didn’t have time. We found it as a Playaway and she absolutely loved it. In fact, she’s already listened to it twice and once I’m finished with my book, I’m going to listen to it while I knit. Shocker!
:: Check out this list of my favorite Audio Books for Kids. Many of these are available for Free (or cheap)!
Does your library have a program similar to this? I would love to hear about it!
How timely – I was just working on this today!!