Reader’s Corner: Wonderbooks, a family favorite at KAL

For the past few years, thanks to generous grants from the Table Rock Lake Community Foundation, Kimberling Area Library has been able to acquire Wonderbooks for the Library’s collection. Children’s librarian Abbey Everett and grant writer Christy Donner recently shared about their thankfulness for those grants and the impact of the Wonderbooks, which have been a huge blessing for many families who love using them.  

Wonderbooks, produced by Playaway Products, are a curated collection of print books, each accompanied by its own audiobook right inside; kids can simply press “play” to read along with their favorites. KAL now has 148 Wonderbooks in circulation, available for a variety of ages from easy reader to young adult, including several nonfiction titles. 

From July 2023 to July 2024, Library records indicate Wonderbooks were checked out 172 times; for 2024-2025, the number was 263; and most recently, from July 2025 to July 2026, Wonderbooks were checked out 469 times! 

While quality time being read to by a caring adult remains a standard for young children, we all know there are numerous challenges to making that happen daily, and Wonderbooks are a great help in providing the multi-sensory stimulation kids need. “My 4-year-old son absolutely loves the Wonderbooks,” shared one area mom. “They are so helpful on long car rides.” She also found the books very helpful during the adjustment period following the birth of a new baby, providing a calm activity for the preschooler during high-maintenance times with the newborn. 

If you’re not familiar with Wonderbooks, check out the collection at Kimberling Area Library or visit the Playaway Products website. While at KAL, be sure to ask about the great children’s programs to help start your kids on the path to becoming lifelong readers. Learn more at www.kalib.org.