by Erin Radway

Elementary school librarians understand the need for students to spend time reading and applying reading strategies, especially since the adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These standards can be very high expectations for students who struggle with reading. However, according to Varley (2002), audiobooks allow students to access information that exceeds their reading level, as most students’ listening comprehension far surpasses their reading comprehension and decoding (p. 255). Especially for struggling older elementary students, an audiobook can open up the world of chapter books at an accessible level for them to apply other reading strategies as outlined in the CCSS. Chen (2004) suggests, “As children listen to an audiobook and read along with the text, they are exposed not only to new vocabulary, but also begin to make association between the physical form of words and the sound of words that exist so far only in their listening vocabulary” (p. 23). Chen further explains that “with narrators serving as reading models, struggling readers and English language learners can emulate accurate pronunciation, fluent reading with emotion, and expression” (Chen, 2004, p.23).

For reasons outlined above, elementary school libraries have seen a trend toward developing a collection that includes more audiobooks. Another current trend in elementary school libraries is interactive readers—books that you read AND hear simultaneously, usually online or on an eReader. One company leading this trend is Capstone Interactive Library. Capstone has created interactive online readers that can be accessed from anywhere that has a high-speed Internet connection. Once logged in, students can browse the library’s interactive collection ranging from genre fiction to highly engaging nonfiction titles. Upon choosing a book, students listen to a professional narrator read the book while the text is highlighted to assist in following along. Narration can be paused at any time, or it can be repeated in order for students to practice along with the narrator.

(Photo from Capstone Interactive Library)

School library media specialists can encourage teachers and students to use these interactive online books in a variety of ways.  Because the site allows unlimited access, a teacher can use the books in a guided reading group where each student is reading the same book.  Along the same line, teachers could create book clubs where students read through the same book and have discussions based on the CCSS.  Schools could also use these interactive eBooks as part of their leveled readers they send home with kids for nightly reading, as long as all students have access to high-speed Internet.  Teachers might also use the interactive eBooks at a listening center or during their designated “Listen to Reading” time during classroom instruction.  Students would then be able to select a title that interests them, and it would be more likely that they would stay engaged in reading for a sustained period of time.

The Capstone representative who I have been working with in conjunction with this project has allowed all of us future librarians to see what interactive books are like by offering a free trial period where you can check out all 2000+ of their titles, some of which are published in Spanish.

Username: MCLdigital (case sensitive) Password: interactive

Just go to www.MyCapstoneLibrary.com, type in the information above, and begin browsing and interacting! (The trial period ends 15 November 2012.)

  Chen, S. L. (2004). Improving reading skills through audiobooks. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 21(1), 22-25.