Novel Effect is an innovative and award-winning mobile application designed to enhance children's reading experiences by integrating interactive music, sound effects, and character voices that respond to the reader's voice. As children read aloud from a storybook, the app detects their voice and plays corresponding audio enhancements at just the right moment, bringing stories to life. This interactive approach aims to boost literacy skills, stimulate imagination, and make reading a fun and engaging activity for kids under 12 years old.
The app offers three different versions of its service to cater to various needs. The free version provides access to a wide range of soundscapes for a curated library of children’s books, available when you use your own printed or digital copies. The premium version grants unlimited access to a broader library, including popular titles, non-fiction books, and early readers, available via in-app eBooks or by using your own books. For educators, the classroom edition offers extensive features and content for one teacher and up to 30 students, creating a safe and engaging learning environment that encourages confident reading among students.
Using Novel Effect is simple: you browse or search for a book, select how you want to read—either with a physical copy or an eBook—and start reading aloud. The app plays cheerful music, sound effects, and character voices in synchronization with the story, responding to your voice as you read. Its library is updated weekly with new titles, including classics, bestselling books, hidden gems, and thematic collections suitable for various learning and entertainment purposes. The app also offers additional features like a reading log and offline access, making it convenient to use anytime and on nearly any device.
Safety and privacy are core priorities for Novel Effect, which only uses voice recognition locally on the device without saving any voice data unless explicitly permitted. The app has been featured on major platforms such as Shark Tank, The Today Show, Forbes, and others, and has received numerous awards for its innovative approach to interactive reading. Whether for home or classroom use, Novel Effect aims to make storytime more magical, fostering a love of reading while supporting educational development in a safe, privacy-conscious environment.