Digital storytelling service expands with more stories, poems and greetings cards

Suffolk Libraries is offering a new range of family-friendly recordable cards and books to create smiles across the miles this Christmas.

Earlier this year, Suffolk Libraries was proud to become the first library service in the UK to offer customers free access to Featherbed Tales – a collection of recordable digital storytelling books for children.

This new digital storytelling service increased Suffolk Libraries already extensive eLibrary services which offer free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and newspapers, films, online courses and music.

The Featherbed Tales collection, created by Caroline England, has now expanded to include 32 recordable greetings cards celebrating every occasion from Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid and birthdays, two books of poetry suitable for older children, five rhymes and seven new story books. The whole collection is beautifully illustrated with characters inspired by Caroline’s love of wildlife and the outdoors.

Anyone with a Suffolk Libraries card can enjoy the service for free. It’s quick and easy to use and you can record any of the stories and other products using any phone, computer or device with a microphone and internet access. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll then get a unique email link to share your recording safely with anyone you choose.

The cards are perfect way to say thank you to anyone who might be working on Christmas Day, or who has supported you or your child this year. With so many uncertainties regarding this year’s Christmas and holiday gatherings, the expanded Featherbed Tales service is a great way to help people feel connected even if it’s more difficult to get together.

Paul Howarth, Head of Content & Resource Development at Suffolk Libraries, said:

“We were delighted to be the first library service to offer Featherbed Tales to customers for free and it’s fantastic that all this extra content is now available in time for Christmas. It’s yet another service Suffolk Libraries provides which can help to keep people connected and bring a little joy to people during these challenging times.”

Caroline England, creator of Featherbed Tales, added:

“By using the recording of the voice of your child, a grandparent or another family member, you can also create memories that can be treasured forever. It’s well-known that hearing a familiar voice, particularly at bedtime storytelling, offers children comfort.

Similarly, when adults hear the voice of the children in their lives reading them a story, particular if they’ve not seen them as much recently, it can be a joyful experience and guaranteed to raise a smile.”

Suffolk Libraries customers can use this service for free through their library card.

You can also find out more on the Featherbed Tales website.