Online platform for long-distance bedtime stories

Long-distance relationships are difficult enough to maintain among adults, but when young kids are involved, the chances of achieving a meaningful conversation from afar tend to diminish. That’s where Readeo comes in, with a newly launched platform that lets families share bedtime stories through the web. The Chicago-based company’s patent-pending application integrates digitised picture books with webcam communication, allowing adults and children to share stories while seeing and interacting with each other. A diverse library is available on the site, including titles from publishers such as Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Candlewick Press, Blue Apple Books and Chronicle Books. The library is fully searchable, and families can create personalised virtual bookshelves of their favourites. A Book of the Month is available to all users for free, but unlimited use of the site costs USD 9.95 per month or USD 49.95 per year. With its focus on stories, Readeo promises a new point of connection for families separated by travel, divorce, military service or just geographic dispersion. Currently, however, the site serves only United States users—other languages and countries, anyone? (Related: Narrate-your-own storybook videos.) Spotted by: Claudia Allwood