Book + talking book

Reading practice

TPB produces talking books for reading practice for the sighted with reading disabilities. The books are narrated at two or three different speeds, thus allowing reading practice at a speed appropriate to the borrower´s level of reading skill. The printed text can be read simultaneously.

TPB supplies the recording only. It is therefore necessary to borrow the printed book from the local library. These books are called Talbok för lästräning (talking books for reading practice).

Special narration

In recordings made specifically for those with developmental disabilities, the narration is slower than in an ordinary talking book. Audio-effects corresponding to the text, such as music and sounds from everyday life (traffic, raining, birds, etc) are included in the production. There may also be several narrators to a text, for dialogue or picture-descriptions. The text of the original book is always short and easy-to-read.

Some of the printed originals are richly illustrated. These books are narrated for simultaneous reading of talking book and printed book, as the narrator continuously refers to the proper page in the book. There are also talking books based on easy-to-read books, read at a slow pace but without special effects. The various books are called Specialinläsning (special narration) and LL-inläsning (easy-to-read narration).

Combined use of talking book and illustrated non-fiction

Some richly illustrated non-fiction books are narrated as talking books with continuous reference to the proper page in the printed book, making it necessary to use the printed book when listening. These books are made for the sighted who need a narrated text. They are not suitable for the mentally retarded as the text is complex.

The illustrations are not described in the narration. Only the talking book is available from TPB, but libraries can combine the printed book and the recording. These books are called Facklitteratur för seende (non-fiction books for the sighted).