Press Release Fun: TeachingBooks.net Author Name Pronunciation Guide Reaches 2,000 Audio Clips

MADISON, Wis. (July 16, 2015) – Ever wondered how to pronounce a favorite author’s name? Since 2007, almost half-a-million readers have visited www.TeachingBooks.net/Hello to hear authors and illustrators say their names and recount brief stories about them.

Jon Scieszka: Poster child for this collection.

On July 16, 2015, the Author Name Pronunciation Guide—an original online digital resource created by TeachingBooks.net as a way to personalize and connect readers to authors— surpassed 2,000 recordings by prominent children’s and young adult book creators. The 2,000^th recording added to the collection is famed and beloved author/illustrator Tomie dePaola – a name often mis-pronounced. Listen to Tomie say it correctly at http://TeachingBooks.net/Tomie.

Maya Angelou: Is it Angel-ooo or Angel-aaa?

Hearing book creators introduce themselves offers unique insight into their personality and background. Through the Author Name Pronunciation Guide, students can hear 2015 Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander rhyme his name with salami (and pastrami); learn what the R and L stand for in Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine’s name; and be confident in pronouncing authors whose legacy lives on in their books, like Maya Angelou and Elie Weisel.

Yuyi Morales: Often mispronounced.

The Author Name Pronunciation Guide, listened to thousands of times each week, is a powerful way to virtually meet favorite authors and illustrators. “Once a reader has an opportunity to connect with an author or illustrator, their impression of the book is forever changed,” said Nick Glass, Founder & Executive Director of TeachingBooks.net. “We created this digital collection of name pronunciations to give readers a glimpse of the person who wrote the book, while facilitating a human connection that we hope further inspires student interest in reading. It is a joyful, beautiful association.”

Lois Ehlert: The inaugural recording.

Launched in 2003, TeachingBooks.net has been licensed in more than 37,000 schools across the United States and Canada. The Author Name Pronunciation Guide is one facet of this online, multimedia literacy service that strives to bring reading to life for all students.

For more information about TeachingBooks.net, or to sign up for a free 14-day trial, visit www.TeachingBooks.net or phone (800) 596-0710.

– See more at: http://forum.teachingbooks.net/2015/07/teachingbooks-net-author-name-pronunciation-guide-reaches-2000-audio-clips/#sthash.oAjVyX6K.dpuf