Fave Friday: Audio Books

I’m posting my favorite products and programs because they’re just that – my favorites. I'm not being compensated by anyone. Shame though.

One of Natalie's favorite activities at preschool was listening to audio books with her friends. They'd cozy in around a table, push play on the CD player and take turns flipping through the book as it was read to them.

Other than the occasional audio book we'd check out at the library, we never really had them around home. I prefer to read to the kids in person, but I also realize how fun it is to "read" a book on their own and the importance of some quiet time (that one's mostly for mom.)

So, we've begun checking them out more regularly at the library and I've pondered purchasing a few.

Then it hit me. Why don't I just make my own?

So I did.

Using Windows Sound Recorder (software already available on my computer), five of the kids favorite books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and a handy free bell sound for page turning markers, I got down to business. I read the books in a lively tone, recording them to my computer. I played the bell tone at the end of every right page and paused so the kids would have enough time to turn the page.

Then, I pulled the audio files into iTunes, which automatically converted them into a compatible format. Now they're on the iPod and iPad, as well as the computer. If I get really ambitious, I'll burn them onto CDs I can tape into pockets in the inside covers of the books. We can use these audio books at home, traveling, in the car or even waiting at doctor's offices (even if I don't remember to grab the actual books.)

In all, five books took me about 40 minutes, once I had my plan and tools. As far as I'm concerned, that's more than worth the $45 or more that I saved us by not buying audio books. And the bonus? The kids can hear mom reading the story instead of a stranger.

And no, they won't even notice my speech stumbles, the occasional dog bark or even noisy page turns.

Hopefully.