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Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books

Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books

Fun Interactive Stories

9.8K ratings
184 reviews
#20 in top-grossing Book
📚 Education
📚 Books
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

Released
September 3, 2016
Updated
September 8, 2026

Features

Developer

Novel Effect Inc
✨Promote your app ✨
Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books screenshot #1 for iPhone
Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books screenshot #2 for iPhone
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Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books screenshot #5 for iPhone
Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books screenshot #6 for iPhone
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🧾$0.99 - $9.99
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📊no. 20
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About

This app enhances children's storybook reading by adding interactive music, sound effects, and character voices that respond to your voice. It aims to make reading time magical, promote literacy, and spark imagination for kids up to 12 years old.

✓Voice-activated music and sound effects
✓Character voices respond to reading
✓Hundreds of curated children's books
✓Weekly new book additions
✓Supports print books and eBooks
✓Classroom and family versions
Show original description

What users say about Novel Effect

Reviews of Novel Effect are mostly positive: the Books app is rated 4.9/5 from 9.8K App Store ratings. What users like most: loved the app, fun and good family time. Top complaints: many locked books need premium, sound issues - quiet or out of sync. Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • ❤️Loved the app
  • 🤩Fun and good family time
  • 🎨Brings books to life
  • 👍Engaging for students
  • 🎉Adds magic to reading
  • 🙌Transforms read alouds
  • 🎶Wonderful sound effects
  • 🤗Makes reading more fun
  • 📚Motivates kids to read
  • 👏Absolutely amazing

Negative things

  • 🔒Many locked books need premium
  • 🔇Sound issues - quiet or out of sync
  • 💰Expensive subscription
  • 🤔Not as many titles as expected
See all reviews

What's New in Novel Effect

3.11.1

September 8, 2026

• Performance improvements and bug fixes We're always looking to improve. If you have feedback or suggestions send an email to support@noveleffect.com

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Subscriptions & In-App Purchases

Annual Student Access

Premium features and services for classrooms

$99.991 Year
14 Days trial
How to cancel Novel Effect subscription ⁉️

Charts

Top Grossing

📊 20

Book

The app has maintained its position at 20 recently.

Last updated on October 21, 2026.

Top Free

📊 153

Book

The app has maintained its position at 153 recently.

Last updated on October 21, 2026.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Get Ready to Pay

I haven’t done a true deep dive on this app yet but from my preliminary toggling around on all of the functions, it seems like all of the good books or books that are most consistently read you have to pay for, which is really disappointing. Out of all my preschool books I searched for I only found one that was free. I don’t know why this app is getting such good reviews when it’s deceptive on what’s actually available to use.
Just know going into it if you want to actually use the app you will be paying the $50 fee.
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H1Hungry Hungry Hippo 1

I Love Novel Effect!

I cannot say enough good things about this app! What a great concept! I am an elementary school librarian and use this app every single day multiple times a day and with different read aloud titles! My students and I are disappointed if we find a story that is not included in the App Library! You soon won’t want to read without the amazing soundscapes of Novel Effect!
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Bbethpricewilliams

My kids WANT to read!

It’s so great to see my kids read and love doing it!
JJennyKarrot

4 star review

I did a 4 star because I wish we could read every book instead of paying.
OOmar5328

Cool tool but lacking good books.

We like it overall, but most of the books we own aren’t even included in the selection list, despite many of them being popular titles. It’s especially confusing because the library includes other books by the same authors.
CKCaptain Kirts
See 179 more reviews

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

2 issues

App crashes or gets stuck

Bug

Progress meter doesn't match audio

Bug
✨

Requested Features

5 requests

Add more books, especially current titles

Feature

Improve audio sync and volume

Feature

Implement Apple Family Sharing

Feature

Add more free books or samples

Feature

Provide option to turn off background music

Feature

FAQ

What does Novel Effect do?

Novel Effect is an app that enhances the experience of reading children's storybooks aloud. As you read, the app uses voice recognition to play interactive music, sound effects, and character voices that correspond to the story, bringing it to life.

How does the app work with books?

You can use the app with your own physical copy of a print book or an eBook. Once you select the book in the app, you'll be prompted to start reading aloud when you hear a chime, and the app's audio features will play in response to your voice.

Is Novel Effect free to use?

The app offers a free version with access to hundreds of soundscapes for a curated library of children's books. For unlimited access to content and additional features, there are Premium and Premium Classroom subscription options available.

What age group is this app for?

This app is designed to promote literacy, imagination, and fun for children aged 12 and under. It aims to make reading engaging for young readers and is also used by teachers and librarians.

Can I read any book with this app?

The app provides soundscapes for a wide variety of carefully selected family-friendly books. While hundreds of titles are available as in-app eBooks, some titles may require you to read aloud from your own physical copy of the book.