We are very excited to be stocking a new screen-free audiobook player from Voxblock in the bookshop. Aimed at children, but can also useful for the older generation who want fuss free listening, these let you listen to audiobooks without the need for Wi-Fi or any app downloads. They come with built-in speakers, as well as a headphone jack, and feature a bedtime mode.

These gadgets require no set up. Simply pick your book from their range, add it to the block, press play and enjoy!

The controls are incredibly easy and allow for parent free set up. You only need to use the arrow buttons to jump to the next or previous chapters, and the + and – to adjust the volume.

Voxblock have very much designed them with children in mind. They are robust, travel friendly and made to last through the rough and tumble everyday clumsiness of young ones. The battery also lasts for days so when travelling you do not have to worry about another pesky device running out of charge.

The beauty of these players are their audiobook format. Their books come in a physical form and let you collect your own shelf of titles, just like regular books.  Still built to last, they have designed their selection with card and not plastic to be conscious of their environmental impact.

There is a large selection of titles to choose from already and Voxblock will be adding more to build their collection.

By excluding the use of screens, Voxblock lets it’s listener focus on the story alone. Audiobooks are a great way for children to engage with language and encourage a love of reading.  They are accessible for those who may struggle with traditional reading and are a good gateway to a love of stories.

Audiobooks are proven to help with vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension and storytelling. As booksellers we will always encourage a physical book but audiobooks can, and should be, used as a complimentary format.

Above all, audiobooks let young minds disappear into a world of imagination. Voxblock has created a device that helps keep things simple so that the magic of the story can be centre stage.