The Friends of the Hazen Memorial Library in Shirley recently received generous funding from the Bemis Associates Community Fund to expand their popular collection of audio-enabled Vox and Wonder Books. These innovative books feature a built-in audio player that reads the story aloud as children turn each page, creating an immersive and engaging reading experience.

Especially popular among parents and English language learners, these books help build vital connections between the written and spoken word. Most titles are available in both English and Spanish and include comprehension questions at the end to further enhance learning.

These specialty books are more than just fun—they're educational tools proven to support reading proficiency and increase language comprehension. They help children learn tone, pronunciation, accents, and dialects, while also making higher-level reading materials more accessible. For English language learners, hearing the words while following along on the page significantly boosts understanding and fluency.

One parent shared that their child, recently diagnosed with dyslexia, is now making strides in reading thanks to these books. Another inspiring story comes from a local literacy volunteer who uses Vox and Wonder Books during weekly sessions with adult English learners. The response has been overwhelmingly positive—the built-in audio feature provides critical support with context, pronunciation, and vocabulary, while the dual-language Q&A sections further encourage bilingual learning.

The community’s enthusiasm speaks for itself. Of the 15 new titles added in October, the books have circulated over 50 times. Another 18 titles were added in January and have already been borrowed more than 25 times.

Thanks to the Friends of the Hazen Memorial Library for championing literacy and inclusivity in our community. Their continued efforts are making reading more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for all.