Thursday
May102012
Free Read-Aloud Resources ~ How We're Listening To Tom Sawyer
Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 5:00AM 
The Writing With Ease selection for GMan for the coming week is Tom Sawyer. We choose many of our read alouds based on this writing curriculum (and also from The Story of the World).
With so much classic literature, we can download the book for free on Kindle.
I thought with this, book, however, that I would search for a free audio download. We tried the Librivox recording, but after about 5 minutes the kids told me they didn't like it so much, so I continued to search.
This free recording, from Open Book Audio, is fabulous! The performance of the different voices is so authentic. I'm finding that I need to stop every so often and explain some of the vernacular and vocabulary. I had forgotten what gem of a book this is... how it forces us back to our own childhoods, and the beautiful way in which Mark Twain describes the life of Tom Sawyer.
I supposed it might bore the children a little bit, but they have happily just laid on the family room floor listening. The quality writing just draws them into the story.
The entire book downloaded into my iTunes and we have been listening happily this week. (It's kind of nice for me to be able to do some housework while the kids are doing art project, etc... and listening.)
Do you use audio books for read-alouds?
What is your favorite book on audio?
Reader Comments (12)
We use audio books all the time in the car. My favorite app is Tales 2 Go. I have not incorporated them in the house. I should definitely work on that....
I have not explored audio books as much as I should! Sounds like a great find. One of my daughters loves to listen to Addy while crafting, and I couldn't help but hear it (I was in the kitchen preparing dinner at the time). It was my first real experience with audio books - and what a great treasure to 'read' while cooking.
Our library has tons of audio books and my husband utilizes Audible quite a lot. We also love christianaudio. We use audiobooks mostly in the car or during project/quiet activity time. It is always good to find a quality recording that makes the book really come alive!
Thank you for pointing out Open Book Audio.
We listen to audio books in the car. We're currently going through the Little House books. My kids are going to be so sad when we're finished!
Most of our favorite audios are from Lamplighter Publishing. We love the audio dramas they create from their books. Mostly we listen to them in the car running errands and such.
Blessings
Diane
We always have an audiobook going in the car. I like the idea of listening at other times during the day too. I might have to think about how this would work for us. My son and I are reading Tom Sawyer together now and both liking it.
We have done audio books here and there. My girls don't really listen. They start talking about crayon colors or legos or wander off and then I get frustrated.
They did listen to Mrs. P online a couple times.
I am not advanced enough for the whole ebook thing, but I do get books on CD sometimes from the library. I do enjoy the ones that use actors and/or different voices. It does make it more fun to listen to--especially for kids. Thanks for sharing this version. :) :)
I read this last week and just came back to get the open book site. Did you download in iTunes for free? It says $3.99.
We use audio books ALL THE TIME! Can't go anywhere in the car without them. Great resource.
We adore the E.B. White books on CD. Some are narrated by E.B. himself! :) We also enjoy short stories at storynory.com.
I am seeing Tom Sawyer come up for $3.95 at itunes. Still a good price, but not free. Am I missing something?