NORTH SYRACUSE — The Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) is trying out a new type of book for children called Wonderbook. A Wonderbook is a print book with a ready-to-play audiobook located on the inside cover. Children can experience the joy of a printed book while receiving the learning bonus of a book read aloud; more words heard means more language skills, kindergarten readiness, and reading skills.
Wonderbook’s format offers a way to engage both sight and hearing, providing a multi-sensory experience to help boost learning. For example, when kids see and hear vocabulary, they learn to match oral sounds with written words. Although the library offers read-aloud e-books through other digital services, such as Libby and OverDrive, a print book may help kids absorb what they’re reading at a more emotional level. Researchers have concluded that children learn more from reading print books than words on a computer screen. Reading a physical book is a tactile experience, which means it’s activating the senses, such as sight, touch, and even smell, to help retain information that much more.
Miss Sarah, children’s librarian at the North Syracuse Branch, is the first to add Wonderbooks to NOPL’s collection.
“Audiobooks are a great way to learn, but the CD format is losing traction. Not everyone has a CD player, so we needed to find a new solution,” she said.
Playaway designs Wonderbook’s technology, a brand the library has used for adult audiobook players. Playaway has continued its handy features in Wonderbook such as providing a USB charger and headphone jack. In addition, Wonderbook uses an outside-facing speaker, so no matter what page you’re reading, you can hear the story loud and clear. These books, are great for early readers, preschool through 2nd grade, and take roughly five to six minutes to read. The book is just like any other children’s read-aloud book offering page turning prompts so kids can easily follow along. This helps children learn to read on their own and build their confidence in their reading skills.
Among the Wonderbooks joining NOPL’s collection are “The Three Little Superpigs” by Claire Evans, “Llama, Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney and “Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg. North Syracuse will be displaying the new Wonderbooks in the audiobook section of the children’s room, and more titles can be borrowed from other library branches via the catalog.
To borrow a Wonderbook visit NOPL’s North Syracuse branch or visit nopl.org to get started.
