🟢 Now Live

Ten minutes tonight.
A reader for life.

Aloud gives your child the joy of being read to every night — 4 books a month, hand-picked for their age, delivered to your door.

🔒 Pilot limited to 100 families. Just your voice needed.

📚 Hand-picked for your child's age

1 Voice — all it takes
10 Minutes a night
1,000+ New words a year
48 Books in a year
Why Aloud exists

One night I was reading to Aarav and Aarush — my twin boys, three years old at the time. We were on page four of Don't Push the Button when Aarush grabbed the book from me and said, "Papa, ek baar ruko. Book mujhe do."

He grabbed the book from my hands and sat there with it for a full minute. Just looking. Just thinking.

That night we almost hadn't read. It had been a long day.

That's the ten minutes Aloud is built around.

One of Surendra's twin boys — Aarav or Aarush — sitting with a picture book, completely absorbed

Aarav or Aarush — we're still not sure which one snuck that book.

Why this matters
more than you think

82% of Indian children under 5 exceed recommended daily screen time (avg 2.7 h/day)
58% of children across India cannot read a simple sentence by age 8 (ASER 2024). Don't leave your child to chances.
10 min of daily read-aloud is all it takes to measurably improve vocabulary and comprehension

What happens every time you read aloud

  • ✅ Brain lights up — every new word heard is a new connection made
  • ✅ Imagination and thinking skills grow with every story
  • ✅ They fall in love with books before they can even read alone
  • ✅ Your voice calms them more than any screen ever could
  • ✅ A measurable head start in school literacy
  • ✅ 10 minutes of closeness both of you will remember forever
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." — Albert Einstein

Just 4 steps

How it works

1
The Aloud reusable tote bag with books

4 read-aloud books arrive

4 books arrive at your door in a reusable Aloud bag. Every title chosen to be read aloud, not just read.

2
🗣️

You read aloud

You — the parent or caretaker — read to your child out loud. No screen. No audio track. Your voice + the book = the magic.

3
📋

Your guide card does the rest

Each book includes a read-aloud guide card — key words, a question to ask, a pronunciation tip, and a conversation starter. Perfect English not required.

4
🔄

Return, repeat, grow

When the month ends, swap back and get 4 fresh titles. New stories, new voices, new memories — no clutter, just a growing habit.

5 tips from expert read-alouders

5 things that make read-aloud magic

👆

Point to words as you read

Run your finger under the words. Your child's brain starts connecting spoken sounds to written shapes — the very foundation of reading.

⏸️

Pause before the last word on a page

Let them predict what comes next. This one pause builds comprehension, vocabulary, and — most importantly — excitement.

🎭

Use a different voice for each character

It doesn't have to be good. A silly high voice and a grumpy low voice is all it takes. Kids love it and remember the story far better.

🤔

Ask one real question per book

"What do you think will happen?" or "Has that ever happened to you?" One question turns a read-aloud into a conversation that matters.

🔁

Read the same book again — and again

Repetition isn't boredom. It's mastery. Each re-read, your child picks up new words, new details, new confidence.

← scroll to see all tips →

Sample Books

Sample Books from Our Collection

Every title chosen for age-fit, rhythm, and read-aloud joy. Hover over any book to see exactly why it's perfect for reading aloud.

I Wish

I Wish

A gentle story about wishes and imagination. Sparks wonderful conversations.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

After each wish in the story, pause and ask: "What would YOU wish for?" The best conversations happen in those pauses.

My Best Friend

My Best Friend

A warm friendship story. Children immediately start talking about their own best friends.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Use a warm, gentle voice for the friendship moments. End with: "Who is YOUR best friend? What makes them special?"

My First Book of Things That Go

My First Book of Things That Go

Cars, trains, planes — every child's favourite. A vocabulary goldmine.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Make the sound of each vehicle as you read. Chugga-chugga, vroom, whoosh. Children who hear sounds with words remember them far longer.

I Am Not Afraid

I Am Not Afraid

A story about courage and overcoming fears. Builds a child's confidence beautifully.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read the brave moments with a strong, steady voice. Then gently ask: "Is there something that scares you? What makes you brave?"

Clean Cat

Clean Cat

A hilariously fussy cat. Kids giggle at every page turn.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read the cat's complaints in a very prim, precise voice. The contrast with your normal voice makes children explode with laughter every single time.

Our Colourful World

Our Colourful World

A celebration of colours and nature. Something new to discover on every page.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Point to colours around the room as you read them. "Look — that pillow is the same orange!" Linking the story to their world deepens understanding.

I Can Help

I Can Help

Sparks the joy of helping. Children want to pitch in at home after this one.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read helping moments with genuine pride in your voice. Afterward ask what they could help with tomorrow. Many children surprise their parents.

Naughty Dog

Naughty Dog

A cheeky dog's misadventures. Every child's absolute favourite character.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Give the dog an excited, breathless voice. Before each mischief, whisper: "Uh oh... what is he going to do NOW?" Children lean in every single time.

I Can Climb

I Can Climb

The joy of doing it yourself. Builds a child's sense of self-belief.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Build excitement as the child in the story tries harder. Use a triumphant voice at the end. Then ask: "What's something YOU can do now that was hard before?"

Noisy Crows

Noisy Crows

Sound-packed story. Perfect for dramatic, expressive reading aloud.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Go loud, go dramatic. CAW CAW CAW at full volume. This is the book where the neighbours might wonder what's going on — and that's exactly right.

Safari!

Safari!

A thrilling jungle safari. Children spot and name every animal with delight.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Let them shout out each animal before you read the name. Point to details in the pictures and ask: "What noise does THAT one make?"

Topsy Turvy

Topsy Turvy

A wonderfully upside-down world. Children roar with laughter from start to finish.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read the upside-down things in a confused, surprised voice. The silliness is half the joke — let yourself laugh. Your child will too.

Are You a Fish?

Are You a Fish?

Question-packed fun. Children answer back and dissolve in laughter.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Pause after every question and wait for their answer — even a wrong one. The back-and-forth is the whole point. It's a conversation disguised as a book.

Where Is Goggayya?

Where Is Goggayya?

A delightful hide-and-seek tale. Kids search eagerly on every page.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Slow way down on the search pages. Let them point and look before you reveal where Goggayya is hiding. The suspense is the magic.

All the Missing Socks

All the Missing Socks

Funny everyday mystery. Children guess and laugh along.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Stop before each reveal and ask: "Where do YOU think the sock went?" Wildest theories welcome. The guessing is half the joy.

In My Garden

In My Garden

Nature wonder. Simple sentences, big visual curiosity.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read slowly. Let them look at every inch of each illustration. Ask: "What do you see? What's that little bug doing?" Simple text, deep conversations.

Kabaddi

Kabaddi

A beloved Indian sport brought to life. Instantly relatable.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read the game-play moments with rhythm and energy. After reading, ask if they've seen or played kabaddi. Cultural connection makes stories stick.

A Moon Full of Ants

A Moon Full of Ants

A magical night-sky story. Ignites curiosity and wonder.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read this one at bedtime with the lights low. Afterwards, if you can, step outside and look at the sky together. Some moments transcend the book.

There You Are!

There You Are!

A fun spotting book. Children search and point with delight on every page.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Race them to spot things before you read the text. Let them win sometimes. The competitive joy makes re-reading this book irresistible.

Pia Goes to Chandni Chowk

Pia Goes to Chandni Chowk

A vivid walk through Delhi's lanes. Culture, colour, and life on every page.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Point out familiar things from Indian streets as you read. Ask: "Have you seen that? Does our street have one?" Stories set in their world feel real.

A Rock, A Dog

A Rock, A Dog

A child who becomes a rock when he needs to be picked up, a dog when he wants to play — a funny, tender book about big feelings and all the ways we show them.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Act it out — go limp like a rock, then pant like a dog. Ask: "When do YOU feel like a rock? When do you feel like a dog?" Watch them recognise themselves.

Out of the Way! Out of the Way!

Out of the Way! Out of the Way!

A tree that makes way for everyone. One of the most beloved Indian picture books ever made.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Read each "Out of the way!" with a different voice. Let them chant it with you. Repetitive phrases teach children to read along before they even know they're doing it.

Ten Days to Diwali

Ten Days to Diwali

The joy of counting down to Diwali. Festival warmth and family bustle on every page.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Count down each day with them. Ask what preparations they remember from your own Diwali. Personal memories make stories unforgettable.

Rooster Raga

Rooster Raga

A rooster's musical journey. Rhythm, sound, and pure joy in every spread.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Tap the rhythm of the musical phrases as you read them. Let the raga names roll off your tongue slowly. Sound is the story here — the more musical you are, the better.

Don't Push the Button!

Don't Push the Button!

Kids see a button — and desperately want to push it! The most interactive read-aloud ever.

🔊 Read-aloud tip

Every time you say "Don't push the button" look at your child with wide eyes. The anticipation is unbearable — in the best possible way. Re-reading is guaranteed.

Books rotate every month. You will never get the same set twice in a year.

Inside every Aloud bag

Every book comes with a Read-Aloud Guide Card

No lesson plans. No homework. Just a simple card that makes tonight's reading feel effortless.

Sample Read-Aloud Guide Card

🔤 Key Words  मुख्य शब्द
    🗣️ Pronunciation Tip  उच्चारण टिप
    💬 Conversation Starter  बातचीत शुरू करें

    Every book in your bag comes with its own card like this. That's all the guidance you need.

    Your reading journey

    The 90-Day Reading Passport

    A beautiful physical booklet included in your 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th bag. Tick a box each night, earn badges at Day 30, 60 & 90, and unlock your Reader for Life card.

    📅

    90 daily tick boxes

    One box per night — as simple as it gets. No app, no login, just a pen and a feeling of pride.

    🔥

    Streak tracker

    Track your longest reading streak. Kids love seeing the number grow — and so do parents.

    🌱

    Day 30 — Seedling Badge

    WhatsApp us your ticked passport. Your badge arrives in the next bag.

    🌿

    Day 60 — Growing Tree Badge

    Two months of stories. Claim your badge + a bonus read-aloud tip card.

    🌳

    Day 90 — Reader for Life Card

    90 nights. Send us a photo of your completed passport and your special Reader for Life card is on its way.

    View Sample Passport →
    Month 1 — Days 1 to 30 Tick each box after your read-aloud ✓
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    812 Mar
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    1620 Mar
    17
    18
    19
    20
    21
    22
    23
    2428 Mar
    25
    26
    27
    28
    29
    30
    🌱 Day 30 Seedling Badge — WhatsApp a photo to claim!
    Longest streak: 20 nights  ·  Total read: 29 / 30
    Aloud
    90-Night Reading Passport
    90 Nights
    of Stories
    🌱
    30
    🌿
    60
    🌳
    90
    Child's Name
    Aarav
    Read by
    Papa
    Started on
    3 Mar 2025

    Physical booklet · Tick each night · Earn badges at Day 30, 60 & 90

    Is this for you?

    Aloud is for you if…

    📖

    You want to build a reading habit early

    You want your child to walk into Class 1 already knowing words their classmates don't. That foundation is built here, in these ten minutes, before school ever starts.

    ⏱️

    You're busy but committed

    10 minutes most nights is enough. Aloud is built for real Indian family schedules, not ideal ones.

    📚

    You believe in stories

    You still remember a story someone read to you as a child. You don't remember the lesson. You remember the voice, the warmth, being curled up next to someone who had time for you. That's what you want to give.

    Aloud is not right for you if you're looking for an app, a passive audio experience, or content that works without a caretaker being present. The whole point is your voice.

    Surendra reading to his twin boys

    A Note from Surendra

    “As a father to twin three-year-old boys in Siwani (Haryana), I’ve seen firsthand how easily childhood can get lost in a screen. I wanted to give my sons something better — the magic of stories and the warmth of a shared moment.

    I built Aloud because I believe that every parent — whether you speak Hindi, Haryanvi, or broken English — is more than qualified to be your child’s first storyteller. We aren’t just delivering books. We’re protecting ten minutes of your evening that the rest of the world is trying very hard to steal.”
    Surendra Singh

    Surendra Singh

    IIT Bombay · Young India Fellow · Father of twins

    Choose your plan

    One right option for every family

    Subscribe for 3 months and save an extra ₹200 — on any plan.

    Aloud Forever
    The Home Library
    ₹799/month
    Yours to keep forever — build a home library
    • 4 books / month — yours to keep
    • Read-aloud guide for each book
    • Doorstep delivery
    • WhatsApp support
    • Personal book curation
    3-month plan → save ₹200
    Get started
    Aloud Flex
    The Total Freedom
    ₹849/month
    Try for 1 year, then decide. On return get ₹2,000 Aloud Credit
    • 4 books / month — chosen for your child's age
    • Read-aloud guide for each book
    • Doorstep delivery & pickup
    • WhatsApp support
    • ₹2,000 Aloud Credit on return after 1 year
    3-month plan → save ₹200
    Get started

    Give the gift of stories

    Aloud isn't just for your own family

    🎁

    Know a parent who'd love this?

    The best baby shower, birthday, or just-because gift for a parent friend. No one needs another toy. Give them 10 minutes of magic every night instead.

    Send a gift subscription →
    🏢

    Have parent employees?

    Skip the hamper. An Aloud subscription for your parent staff says you care about their home, not just their desk. Reach out for bulk pricing and branded packaging.

    Get bulk pricing →
    🤝

    Want to do something that actually matters?

    Sponsor an Aloud subscription for a child in a government school or an underserved family. We handle the curation, delivery, and guide cards — you give a child a year of stories.

    Sponsor a child →

    Questions answered

    Frequently asked

    You absolutely can — and if you already do, that's wonderful. But most families who plan to buy books end up with a pile that rarely gets read regularly. Aloud isn't just books.

    • Curation, not just books. Every title is hand-picked to be age-right, vocabulary-rich, and great to read aloud. No hunting through Amazon reviews at midnight.
    • A guide card with every book. Key words to highlight, a question to ask, a tip to make the session richer. It turns a casual read into a real learning moment.
    • Fresh books every month. New stories keep the habit alive. Once a child has heard a book ten times, the magic fades — a new set restores it.
    • No clutter, no commitment to owning. Read them, love them, return them. Your shelf stays tidy and your child gets variety.
    • ₹499 for 4 books + everything around them. Yes, you can buy a picture book for ₹150. But then you need to find the next one, research if it's age-right, figure out how to read it well, and remember to actually sit down and do it. Aloud bundles the curation, the guide, the delivery, and the accountability into one simple subscription — so the habit actually happens.

    The books are just the start. The habit is what stays.

    School is essential. But there are things school simply cannot do — and this is one of them.

    • A teacher has 30–40 children. She cannot sit with your child alone, follow their curiosity, pause on the page they love, or answer the questions only they ask. You can.
    • School teaches textbooks, not stories. Hart & Risley's landmark study found that children who were read to regularly before age 5 had vocabularies almost double those who weren't — by the time they started school. The classroom builds on that foundation. It can't create it.
    • The reading habit is built at home. Children who are read to regularly arrive at school with bigger vocabularies, longer attention spans, and stronger comprehension — they find school easier, not harder.
    • School fees buy infrastructure. Aloud builds the habit that makes that infrastructure work. For ₹499 a month — less than a family dinner out — you give your child a daily ritual that compounds for years.

    School teaches your child to read. Aloud makes them want to.

    Not at all. Many of our founding families speak Hindi or a regional language at home. Every book comes with a guide card — key words, questions to spark conversation, and pronunciation support. This is about building a habit, not demonstrating fluency. Just show up and read.

    Minor wear and tear is expected and covered. For significant damage or loss, we charge a simple replacement fee based on the book's cost. We'll always tell you upfront.

    Not in detail, but you can tell us your child's interests and we'll consider that when curating. Founding Family members get priority input into their book selections.

    We deliver 4 books in a reusable Aloud bag. At the end of the month, our local delivery partner in your area handles the pickup — the same way the books came to you. You don't need to go anywhere.

    No app needed. Everything runs on WhatsApp — delivery updates, support, read-aloud tips, and swap coordination. If you have WhatsApp, you're ready.

    Aloud is designed for children 3 years and above. If your child is nearly 3, fill the form and we'll add you to the early list.

    Absolutely. Reading aloud can begin from as early as 1 month old — your voice, your rhythm, your warmth is your baby's first learning experience. Our pilot is officially designed for 3+ but if your child is younger, reach out to us on WhatsApp and we'll curate a set of wordless picture books especially for you — where every page is a conversation and every image is a story waiting to be told.

    That's completely fine — in fact, it's a great sign. When your child asks questions, finishes sentences, or relates the story to their own life, they're deeply engaged. Just answer and carry on. There is no single 'correct' way to read aloud.

    Your voice — your ordinary, everyday voice — is exactly what your child wants to hear. They don't need a professional narrator. They need you. Just read the words out loud, at your own pace. The connection does the rest.

    Absolutely. Read in whatever language feels natural for you and your child. Our guide cards are bilingual for exactly this reason. The real benefit isn't the language — it's the shared attention, the storytelling, and the curiosity it sparks. That happens in any language.

    Yes, any time. There's no lock-in, no cancellation fee, no form to fill. Just message us on WhatsApp before your next month's delivery and we'll pause or stop — no questions asked. We'd love to know why, but we won't hold you to it.

    It happens. Not every book lands with every child — and that's also true of books you'd pick yourself. Tell us on WhatsApp what didn't work and why, and we'll make sure the next month's set is better suited. Over time we get better at knowing what your child loves. That's one thing a bookshop can't do.

    Absolutely — and honestly, some of the best read-alouds happen in a dadi's lap. Whoever is present, whoever has ten minutes, whoever does the reading — that's the right person. The guide card works for everyone. No preparation needed, no experience needed. If anything, a nana or naani reading in their own natural voice — mixing Hindi and the story freely — is exactly the kind of session children remember for years.

    Then you missed a few days. That's it. No habit is broken by a bad week — habits are broken by deciding to stop. If life got busy, just pick the book back up when it settles. Your child won't remember the gap. They'll remember that you came back.

    Limited spots — pilot batch

    Reserve your spot

    We're accepting the first 100 founding families. Fill this in and we'll reach out within 24 hours on WhatsApp.

    We respect your privacy. No spam. Only relevant updates about your Aloud pilot slot.