It’s a cool new all-audio collection for kids, sporting a wacky name.
Introducing Whazoodle, a screen-free audio speaker sidekick learning device, now available for checkout in weeklong increments at the Sewickley Public Library.
Sewickley children’s librarian Bridget Clark is excited to share a screen-free, kid-focused alternative in place of cellphones and tablets.
“It’s totally screen free and offers parents a way to entertain their children through three different modes, and I think we’re the first library to have these in Allegheny County,” Clark said.
Whazoodle does not require Wi-Fi and provides an all-audio, holistic learning experience geared for kids ages 3-10 through curated content in age-appropriate categories.
Children can select options such as explore, relax and recess modes while exploring dozens of themes that include animals and bugs, adventure and travel, music and creativity, nature and environment, fantasy and fairy tales, reading and language, social and emotional and more.
For example, the Ocean Odyssey WhaZoodle explores ocean creatures such as jellyfish, sea otters and squid and delves into animal DNA.
WhaZoodle How to Vowel explores long E, A, U and short O and I and features long and short vowel songs.
Explore mode offers child-friendly podcasts, fun facts, sing-alongs and short stories.
Recess mode gets the listener moving with dancing, drawing, crafts and more.
Relax mode offers guided meditations or stretches and sleep or nature sounds to help the listener wind down.
Each Whazoodle program runs about two hours, and children can listen with headphones or the speaker function.
Instructions on use and charging come with each Whazoodle, and Clark noted they’re very user friendly.
Playaway Products contacted Sewickley Public Library about acquiring Whazoodle, and Clark said she expects the Whazoodles will be well-received by both parents and children.
“We get a lot of parents asking about more ways that they can introduce literature and have free time off of screens,” Clark said.
Whazoodle doesn’t require any downloads or internet so it’s ideal for traveling, camping, outdoors or anywhere.
The value of Sewickley’s Whazoodle collection is more than $2,000.
“I think these will be majorly popular over the summer because of road trips,” Clark said.