Name: Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books
Rating: 4.88631 (6113 reviews)

User Reviews for Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books

4.89 out of 5

6.1K Ratings

5 years ago, Sheilabeen

Whole family loves this app

My kids are grown and I read books to my granddaughter with this app. They over heard me reading and sat around to hear the sound effects with their niece. Novel Effect brings a whole new joy to reading and draws new readers into the stories. The ability to pause and discuss the page just read is great for allowing the child to put their input into the story and to participate. We’ve even stopped to talk about the sounds and how they go with what was just read. My granddaughter likes to imitate the sounds heard when read a story again and again. I’ve even been to my local library with the app to get books that can be read with the app. Giving a child the physical book that I can add sounds to makes me the best magical Meemaw around! Thank you! I found out about this app one Sunday morning on a news show. So glad I didn’t sleep in! Please keep the amount of books coming and I can’t wait to try the new update.

5 months ago, desertflower01

Novel(ty) effect

So my title sums it up. This app is a novelty- big on gimmick, short on usefulness. I did have a chance to dig into some of the learning PDF’s and they are fun, coloring pages and fine motor activities, but they aren’t any better than things that can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers. The biggest reason I don’t think this app is worth the steep annual fee are the soundscapes themselves. They are distracting and take away from kids hearing fluency and prosody modeled for them. I have a book worm toddler who has been read to since newborn days. She was more distracted than anything and wasn’t “wowed” by the sounds and kept trying to look at the phone which we normally wouldn’t have present and out during our reading time. The technology is super - following your voice so sound effect timing is nearly flawless, even allowing for questions and feedback from the child and the sound effects stop and pick back up when reading resumes. That part is neat, and I could see kids who were raised on screens more than books liking the sound effects since simple reading could feel “boring” to kids in that category. But if you have a strong foundation of reading time in your house, I think this is a skip because it’s an unnecessary extra layer.

2 months ago, Sydgetsmom

Makes Read Alouds Magical

I hold up a book. The kids say we read that…or I have that at home… and I just smile and connect the Bluetooth speaker…annnnd cue sound effects and I know I have them!!! I can see them sitting up, some standing up to actively listen to all the sounds and words and pictures this book has. They never knew…heck!!!I never knew reading could be like this! It is the best app I have ever used for reading. It’s still me with all my silly voices and timing, but leveled up with your own orchestra pit and foley artist. I encourage you to read one book and watch your mesmerized audience. That’s what they become. Mesmerized lovers of books. Forever they will be changed for the better! Bravo!!!

2 years ago, Ojedaper

So underrated app!! Must read!

Most important tip!! Something that took me a while to realize is that most books are free online. The app can run in the back, so you don’t need to download the book in the app. There is a limited selections on f books that can be access through the app because of copy rights, but save your money and just google it with the words pdf, then click on print and the app will start running in the app. You can check if is working because the audio effect will be in sync with what you are reading. If they are not, check the app is running or start reading from the last sentence until the audio and the text sync again.

5 years ago, Merry Shannon

Amazing

I really don’t have the words for how phenomenal this app is. I am a huge fan of the read along vinyl/storybook sets of the seventies and eighties—I had a massive collection and spent hours listening to them as a kid. This is the only modern experience I’ve found that lets me replicate the feeling for my child. They’ve included so many truly GOOD kids’ books, and clearly have put a lot of passion and talent into creating these background effects. I already own a dozen of the books featured and now I will be collecting most of the rest. I will support this app with all my heart, I hope it continues to grow and becomes HUGELY successful. Thank you thank you to the brilliant minds making this possible!!!

11 months ago, chmwgfn1993

Students love it

My students love when I use this app during our read alouds! They always ask if the books we read are “page activated” because they are obsessed with the soundscapes. There are some great titles and I have even discovered more great books due the app. The app is always adding titles but I wish there were more available sometimes (but that just means it’s a treat when there are sound effects to the stories I read to my class!) I would suggest pairing a Bluetooth speaker with it if you are using it in a classroom. Overall, it’s a great app for teachers to keep kids engaged and for parents who may be looking for a little extra something for stories.

2 years ago, addy.p.

Enjoyable

We received the subscription with a book club membership, and really enjoy the app and the books they send. Makes the books come to life and has gotten my child interested in more books instead of just asking for the same book every night! Liked the free version as well so we could give it a try before committing to the subscription. Asked for it for a holiday gift from grandma. Nice mix of classics and new books, many of which we already have. Liked that I could favorite the books so we have a list of the options to choose from.

6 years ago, AmesIrene

Amazing!

We are avid readers and have read over 500 different books to our 2 year old, and we are always looking for screen-free options for her and this fits the bill perfectly! Love the sounds and music and so does she! We can’t wait for more books to be released! Also, a way to favorite or save books in one folder would be nice, so we could save the books we own in one area and reference which books are compatible easily. For now, I’m just going to do it the non-tech way and put all of the books that work with this app in a basket together :)

4 years ago, Lisa5676

Amazing app & wonderful customer support

This app makes read alouds so engaging for my students, even for older kids who mistakenly think they’ve outgrown picture books. Whenever I have teachers or aides in the library they’re mesmerized as well! It even makes older classic books like “Where the Wild Things Are” new again. I’ve had a couple minor technical issues and my emails to customer support have been answered within hours or minutes with a prompt resolution. I am a huge fan of this app and the dedicated people behind it!

1 year ago, GinaDitrio

Amazing!

The Novel effect app is truly incredible ! I teach children with special needs. I had to often create my own music and sound effects Thanks to this app, I no longer have to do that. It will also pause and jump ahead if need be! I highly recommend this app to anyone who reads to children! Btw customer service is incredible. You can recommend books to be added to their library. There are even books written in Spanish !

2 years ago, jlibean

Love it!

I’m an elementary school librarian. My favorite part of my job is reading stories to the children. I found out about Novel Effects and started using it this year. I love it and the kids love it! Every time I read a story they ask if we get to hear the sound effects. I’m impressed with how many books are available with the sound effects. If you don’t have Novel Effects get it! You won’t be sorry! Thank you Novel Effects! You've made my already fun job even more fun!

3 years ago, sandraleelee

Sound issues

I love this app but the volume from my phone is not good at all. I don’t have any other issues with sound using my phone except with this app. I’ve tried going into the app settings and adjusting audio boost all the way up but it is still to faint to hear sounds over my voice reading. If I use a Bluetooth speaker then there is too much of a lag in the sounds and I will have to pause constantly while reading for the sound to catch up. Any suggestions for a fix to this? I would really prefer for the sound to be better coming through my phone.

7 years ago, Oo7slice

One of those magical apps

This is one of those apps that brings a little magic into your life. I was introduced to it by a school librarian when I was visiting my son in kindergarten. She let me read a book to the class using Novel Effect and the kids (and I) loved it. My son now really likes to try to read the books himself in order to get he sound effects going, and hopes that means re books continue being added to the library. Looking forward to seeing what comes to the app.

2 years ago, danilotheman

Been a game changer for nighttime reading for kids

My kids love this app and it is a big hit. We make sure to take out the books from the library that are built into this app in order for it to read to us. I sync my iPhone to use the Bluetooth speakers in the rooms. And it is like magic. Sound effects that come or just perfect. Huge fan I think this is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the love of reading reading.

11 months ago, Chinchillameow

Our class is a family

OK is it good because it can teach us that we can have more than one family we can have two or fiber how much school do you go to and you have lots of fun so read this book and you’ll have a great time bye and you will also be really good and learn stuff from school I want to I was your first day and people should always have friends to be around with so that will be your relationships bye Love Riley and Olivia

3 years ago, Storczon1

Librarian Love

My K-5 kids love novel effect stories I read to them. They are still trying to figure out how it works. They get to experience literature at a deeper level with the soundscapes, which adds mood to the story. They are absolutely pin drop quiet during these times and I get to ham up the characters. P.S. I’m not a bit embarrassed doing these productions for them! It’s a miracle these days getting 25-30 kids at a time engaged in a great story!

7 years ago, Jamie Hunsdale

Really fun, unique and powerful. I love the sounds !!!

This App is amazing. I love that it brings sound to the world of reading. The fact that you can just turn it on and set it aside while you read is so unique and not just another reason for kids to stare at a screen. I work with audio everyday and the quality of the sounds and music that Novel Effect uses is excellent. I have already shared the app with other friends that have kids or nieces and nephews like myself. They are loving it.

3 years ago, Kelsncat

Absolute magic!!

This really got my child excited about reading, and honestly motivates me to read more to them as well. It’s so much fun finding new books to read now. Thank you to the developers of this app, you have helped so many children get excited about reading. This brings so much magic to books again; I can read them over and over and not be bored by them!!

2 months ago, MrsSmilesthelibrarian

No activation email

I have tried to get access to my account for over a month. I purchased this and never received an activation email and have been in contact with customer service several times. Each time they have stated that it should work and is still not working. I’m sure it is a great app. Their activation process is why I’m giving it a low review. I’m excited for the app all my library friends have said how wonderful this is to use in a school library. I can’t wait to see what it can do.

1 year ago, DaughterOfTheKing7

Some good some bad.

I really enjoy reading books using this app with my children. The downside is that there is so much liberal material, that I cannot let my kids just rummage through the books and their content without me present to mediate. It would be nice if it wasn’t so “Woke” about certain topics that I would not consider appropriate for children. Overall, I love the concept and it makes reading very fun.

2 years ago, Neb1227

Adds a whole new dimension to reading!

This app is AWESOME. I found it on Tik Tok and downloaded it to read some books to my kiddos. It is SO much fun. It follows my voice and adds the fun music and sound effects at the appropriate times. It can even do the same when my eight year old reads out loud. I never write reviews but I just had to for this app. Download it! Read some books to your kiddos. You’ll have so much fun!

4 years ago, AdrienneBTN

I LOVE this app!

This app is so, so good and I hope it stays around. My family loves it. We have so many of the books that Novel Effect has sound effects for and I love that they keep adding! We probably already owned about 20 books they have in their library! So much fun! And the technology works incredibly well. We’ve been using it for about 2 months and never had a glitch! It can read my voice so well! Thank you to the creators.

11 months ago, MKTH10

Great for Teachers!

I’m a Kindergarten Teacher and my students LOVE when I read a book from Novel Effect. It was a fantastic idea to have the ability to pause when students ask questions, then pick right back up and keep reading. It has transformed my read alouds and the kids are captivated. They can really see the magic of reading and books!

6 years ago, Houdiniafams

We loved it at first

My son is 2 years old and visually impaired. When I found this app, I was so excited that I could bring books “to life” for him since he can’t get the enjoyment out of the pages. The first couple of times using it was wonderful, but for the last couple weeks, when I open the app, it crashes within 10 seconds. I’ve tried deleting and redownloading and nothing works! Hoping you guys resolve this issue because this is such an amazing opportunity to give a little bit of inclusion to special needs kiddos.

4 years ago, grgsalefromhome

Honestly so grateful for this app

I am so glad that this app exists it truly makes reading a lot more engaging and makes the story books come alive with the sound effects. My kids love it when we read along with novel effect. I just noticed recently even if you don’t have the book they have an ebook option and you can still read along with the sound effects. So awesome! 🤗✨

2 years ago, Savannah's the great

Love

I am a librarian assistant and my children absolutely love this. Makes books fun!! However, I do wish the noises were a few seconds AFTER I say certain words. Unfortunately it’s before or during and that bothers me, it’s like interrupting and the kids get side tracked. I think their enjoyment is why I gave it a 4 and not a 5 however! I would still purchase over and over again with how it is though!

5 years ago, Clarie16

Great app to motivate kids to hear you read and read along

This app provides music and sound effects at the perfect time based on what you are reading. I’ve done it with my 2 year old daughter twice and it has worked beautifully! I know this will also help me with reluctant and low level readers in my class this upcoming school year! Thank you for creating something so useful and fun!

5 years ago, Cozy Library

Wonderful App

Our students absolutely love hearing sound effects when we read them books. They are so captivated and eager to hear what happens next! Keep adding more books as we are promoting this to all our schools in our district. We would love to see the Washington Children’s Choice Books added every year as most schools across the state use them as part of their curriculum.

2 years ago, Dustysonofmike

I read these because it’s fun for ME!

Forget the kids, this makes reading more fun and magical for ME, and I do it because it personally makes me very happy. But on a more serious note, this tangibly shows children the power of using your voice, and the power of words in the most engaging way. Can’t recommend this app enough.

4 years ago, Diddlina22

Great app!

I tried some free ebooks and it got me a lot of surprises from the sound effects and music. I love when they become real! The videos I watched are so cool! I thought an idea that maybe can add some kids tv shows like blues clues and/or Dora the explorer to get them have some fun being part of the show. For older people, can turn boring school books like science, history, etc... more exciting and fun

2 years ago, Megs2424

Absolutely Love!

As a teacher and a parent this is by far my favorite app I’ve come across in quite some time. My students and my own son are so much more engaged in reading. Bedtime stories are so exciting. We look forward to every new book they are able to add sounds to. Definitely worth the subscription!

8 months ago, Jake020123

Decent but gets stuck and doesn’t follow along sometimes

Over and over again the progress meter will show that it’s following along with me as I read but the sounds aren’t following along and I have to exit out and restart. Usually after that it will pick up where I left off and be fine but other times it will get stuck again and I just decide to read the book without it.

5 years ago, MrSaltham

This Librarian Loves NovelEffect

This is one of the best apps I have found in a while. I have read two stories to my K-5 library students. It was absolutely magical. I love using this a few times a year with classes. I am excited to download this to our class iPads so kids can use Novel Effect with their book buddies. I heard you’ll soon be able to make your own NE recordings. That’s exciting stuff!

5 years ago, Barry 12

Awesome app.

LOVE NOVEL EFFECT! I am a librarian at an intermediate school. I use novel effect every week. I was reading The Gruffalo to a class of 5 th graders using the app. After the book a girl raised her hand and said “ I have read this book, I’ve had this book read to me, and I have the video. That presentation was the best version I’ve ever heard. “. She loved it...I love it.....Homerun novel effect. You are tops in my book. ( and I have a lot of books)

7 years ago, Jenna Laird

Getting better!!!

When I downloaded this app it night they were on shark tank and at that time I was disappointed but they have updated the app at least twice since then and it gets better every time with added sounds and better voice recognition! I will keep using it because my child stays engaged in the books with novel effect and they are improving all the time it seems! Way to go!!!

7 years ago, Jo-9990

Bravo

Novel Effect has created an app which will clearly bring delight to children. Each book has music and sound effects, which were well thought out and suited to the themes of each title. There were times when I thought some books could use a few more sound effects. Overall, bravo to an amazing app.

3 years ago, MstLvDgs

Love!

Not sure who is more excited, the 4.5 yr old or mom & dad! We’ve always enjoyed reading before bed, but finding this app has enhanced that experience! We find our little one asking for another book and instead of saying no, we’re just as excited to hear another one too!

7 years ago, koki5

Teacher Approved

This app is amazing! I work as a Special Education/Resource Room teacher for 2nd and 3rd grade and this app helps bring books to life and encourage my students to read and get interested in books. I also use this app to read with my 4 year old nephew. He already loved the book “Drummer Hoff”, but now with the app he gets even more excited to read it.

5 years ago, Frustrated in Austin

Great Motivation for Reading!

My two boys (8 and 5) love when they find a book we have in Novel Effect. They rush to get the book so they can read with all the sound effects in the background. I can’t wait to try this out in my classroom, as several of my books in class are here. Absolutely recommend for anyone who ever reads to kids.

6 months ago, life is good for doggies

The best app ever.

I do love this app its amazing the sounds are great it brings the story to life when I first tried it I got my books and it was so good. Just have a question about the request I requested two books do they let you know when the requested books are on the shelves I just want to know.

5 years ago, katdea19

Awesome app for teachers!

I am a elementary school teacher and I use this app while reading to my class. The first time I did it, I didn’t let them know what I was doing and the were mind blown! Now they ask me to read using the app all the time! I think this is a great was to motivate reluctant readers. I would love to see more math and science books added as well!

2 weeks ago, Using threaders

Love!

My students ask every time I read a book if it has “the sounds” to go with it! They are engaged and I think that it sometimes even helps with comprehension. The activities that go along with the sound scapes are high quality. This is VERY worth the $$!

7 years ago, Liz721

So. Much. Fun.

I just saw this on Shark Tank and downloaded the app immediately. Such an amazing idea! When I first showed my kids (9 & 7 year old boys, and 3 year old little girl) they all cuddled around me for 3-4 books! So much fun! I am also a preschool teacher, and we used this in our classroom today and kids were in awe! Our three year old room were all so entranced into our stories, just precious! It was a little buggy, sometimes it would start and I would have to re-do but I know all the little kinks will be worked out. So impressed!!! Going to the library soon to get a ton of the books listed that we don’t have. Love love love. 💙

3 years ago, Mom/Aunt to many littles

Makes reading even more magical!

Absolutely brought reading to a whole new level. Kids love it. I love that it adds a new dimension to reading books and makes story time enchanting almost. Totally worth the $ if you read regularly to your little ones.

4 years ago, Msbenn321

My son is a huge fan!

We have discovered new books to read and I am excited about the wide variety of stories on the app! My son is a huge fan of the sound effects and likes how much that adds to our story time. Definitely recommending this to other parents with small kids!

3 years ago, Jbjbjoe

Amazing sound effects

Great background music and sound effects for a lot of books! I read books every day to my daughter.... she loves the silly sounds along with some of the scary laughs! Can’t wait to make my own sounds soon if they release a developer side.

3 years ago, Jaden___||||

Every Reading Teacher NEEDS this App!

NovelEffect has become one of my favorite teacher tools EVER! My students absolutely love when I am able to use it during our read aloud time! They are so engaged! It definitely adds a bit of magic to our stories.

6 years ago, Alie66

Maybe more

I was so excited about the idea of this book. It has really been great to see the kids getting into the stories and listening so closely for the sound effects. I was hoping for a little more interaction and sound effects within the stories! Ringing phones, walking shoes, talking etc. But over all I think it’s a fantastic an interactive idea for children.

6 months ago, BookNerd1971

So fun!!!

I am an elementary Library Media Tech and my students love the sound effects. It really brings the books to life!! The classroom behaviors have improved drastically and the kids are excited each week to find out what book I am going to read!! Love love this app!!!

10 months ago, Teaching All Day

Awesome!!!

I am l loving this app! I keep reading books over and over and over again! My students absolutely love this app. I am reading books all the time in class. They would much rather hear me read a book than to have free time playing games!

Description

Welcome to Novel Effect — an award-winning app that follows your voice as you read out loud from a children’s story book and responds at just the right moment with interactive music, sound effects, and character voices. Bring the story to life, promote literacy, imagination, and fun for kids 12 & under! In the classroom or at home, see why parents and teachers alike say Novel Effect “…turns reading time into a magical experience." - App Store Review. There are 3 versions of the Novel Effect service accessible through the app. New books are added weekly. FREE Free Novel Effect offers hundreds of soundscapes for a library of children’s books curated for teachers, librarians, kids and families. Enjoy limited access to soundscapes for free when you bring your own copy of the print book or ebook! PREMIUM For families and individual educators, Novel Effect Premium offers unlimited access to a library of kid friendly content. Enjoy soundscapes for popular children’s books when you bring your own copy of the book, or read aloud from hundreds of in-app eBooks, including non-fiction and early reader chapter books, as well as exclusive members-only content. CLASSROOM For educators, Novel Effect Premium Classroom offers unlimited access to Premium features and content for one teacher and up to 30 students in a safe and secure environment. Overwhelmingly, educators say reading with Novel Effect is more engaging, creating motivated, confident, and empowered readers. HOW IT WORKS Novel Effect’s service follows along as you read out loud, playing interactive music, sound effects, and character voices in response to your voice. Our library includes a wide variety of high-quality soundscapes for carefully selected family friendly books to engage and promote imagination and learning, updated weekly with new titles! Hundreds of titles are available as in-app eBooks, some titles may require you to read aloud from your own copy. FIND - Use search or browse our collections to find the book you want to read out loud. PLAY - Tap the cover and then choose how you’ll be reading — with print or an eBook. READ - When you hear the chime, start reading aloud! LISTEN - Hear the music and sounds respond to your voice and change with the story. Add a little magic to story time with Novel Effect. PRESS AND EXPERT REVIEWS Novel Effect was featured on Shark Tank, The TODAY Show, and in Forbes, Variety, Lifehacker, and more. “I felt like a real audiobook narrator. My five-year-old tried reading a book on her own… and amazingly, the system picked up her little voice and played the effects at all the right moments.” - Michelle Woo, Lifehacker "Not only did this tool help make poetry come alive for [my student], he asked me if he could try reading... I about fell out of my chair because he never wants to read aloud... and he has asked to go to the library to check out books that he can read along with the app." - Julie Smith, The Techie Teacher® "I think this is cool as cool can be… I love it, I love it!" - Lori Greiner, entrepreneur and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND SUPPORT - Novel Effect requires access to the device's microphone to perform voice-recognition. - The privacy of kids and their grown-ups is our top priority. Voice-recognition is performed on your device, no voice data is saved without express consent. - Please go to http://www.noveleffect.com/privacy-policy or www.noveleffect.com/classroom-privacy-policy to learn more. KEY FEATURES • Hundreds of books with more added weekly • Also includes Spanish books • Online and offline reading • A reading log tracks books you’ve read with the app • Access Novel Effect’s digital library and soundscapes on almost any device Terms of Service https://www.noveleffect.com/terms-of-service