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CloseAPH/Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Audio Books
Playback Requirements
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Audio Books provided by APH are encrypted and can only be played using free playback equipment loaned to eligible individuals through the National Library Service (NLS) Talking Book program. A family will first need to register their child with NLS and receive an NLS digital playback device. Then they are set to download and playback the encrypted DPIL audio book files.
Playback Instructions
Follow the steps below to playback an APH/DPIL Audio book using an NLS Digital Talking Book Player.
- Connect a USB drive to your computer, such as a blank NLS digital Talking Book cartridge or a commercial flash drive.
- In the “Book Downloads” section on this page, browse the available books by month and activate the download link for the book title you wish to playback.
- Depending on your browser, you may see a dialog box that asks what you would like to do with the file. Choose “Save.” The file you are saving is a “zipped” file, meaning it contains several files inside it. Select the location to save the zipped file—either to your computer’s internal hard drive or to the external USB drive that you connected in step #1.
- If the downloaded zipped file did not unzip automatically, unzip it now. Windows and macOS both have the built-in ability to unzip files. The unzipped file will create a folder containing all of the files needed to play the book.
- If you downloaded the files to your internal hard drive, copy the unzipped folder to the external USB flash drive or NLS cartridge. Note: the book will not play unless ALL of the files are present on the flash drive or cartridge.
- Follow instructions provided with your NLS digital player to listen to the audio book.
Book Downloads
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Tad and Dad
Written and Illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein’s funny–and tender–tale of a growing tadpole who loves his frog dad so much he never gives him a moment’s peace.
Tad the tadpole spends every day with his awesome dad, and shares a lily pad with him at night. It’s always been that way . . . but little Tad is growing up, and quickly becoming as awesome–and large–as his dad. As his new parts sprout, he’s learning to swim and hop and croak just like Dad. Dad is very proud, but when Tad’s accomplishments carry over into nighttime–bringing lots of kicking and croaking in his sleep–the lily pad is no longer a bed for two. Even Tad finally realizes it’s time for a lily pad of his own, and all is well–at least until Dad realizes how much he misses Tad.
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You Can Be ABCs
By Robert Samuel White II and Robert Samuel White III
Based on the empowering and beloved viral video rap by six-year-old Sam White and his dad, Bobby, as seen on The Ellen Show and more, comes a book about the many careers kids can aspire to, from A to Z!
You can be an A–an architect, a B–a biochemist, a C–a computer software developer, and so much more! It’s all about doing what you love and putting your heart into everything that you do. In this alphabet book of careers, the options run from A to Z! And six-year-old social media sensation Sam White and his dad, Bobby, want every kid out there to know that they can reach for the stars and make their dreams come true, whatever they want to become. Just don’t be a Z–a zombie, and let the world pass you by.
With dynamic and joyful art by Robert Paul Jr. accompanying Sam and Bobby’s viral rap, this book will have readers celebrating the potential in everyone.
Download You Can Be ABCs Audio Book
How We Say I Love You
By Nicole Chen
Illustrated by Lenny Wen
In this heartwarming picture book, an Asian American girl shares how her family expresses their love for one another through actions rather than words.
How do you tell your family that you love them? For Hana, love is all around her: Mom stirs love into a steaming pot of xifan. Dad cheers with love at her soccer game. Hana says good night with love by rubbing her grandma’s feet and pouring her grandpa his sleepy tea. And as the light fades, Hana’s parents tuck her into bed and give her a good night kiss.
So many families express their love in all they do for one another, every day. Here is a book that wraps you in a hug and invites your family to share their own special ways of showing love.
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When The Storm Comes
By Linda Ashman
Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
What do you do when the clouds roll in,
When the wind chimes clang and the weather vanes spin?When stormy skies threaten, people stock up on supplies, bring in their outside toys, and check the news for updates. And during the storm, if the power goes out, they can play games and tell stories by candlelight. But what do animals do? They watch and listen, look for a cozy den or some other sheltered spot, and hunker down to wait. After the storm, while the people are cleaning up their yards, making repairs, and checking on the neighbors, the animals emerge from their hiding places and shake off the rain. And everyone is happy to be out in the sunshine again, grateful for better weather and the company of friends. -
The Rabbit Listened
By Cori Doerrfeld
When something sad happens, Taylor doesn’t know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn’t feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that’s not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs. With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen.
Download The Rabbit Listened Audio Book
This Is the Tree We Planted
By Kate McMullan
Illustrated by Allison Friend
A class plants a tree in the playground, and together, they watch it grow. There is no shortage of action to observe in its branches: a robin protecting her eggs from a squirrel and her kits, a lizard stalking a spider, and a hawk swirling around overhead. Within this tree is an entire ecosystem, all created by the class who planted it. Beloved children’s book creator Kate McMullan has crafted a story that will encourage kids to cultivate a love of nature as they observe the world living inside their backyards.
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Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
By Nancy Carlson
The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can’t wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he’s not so sure he’s ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he’s not ready for is how much fun he’s going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence.
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Llama Llama Time to Share
By Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama has new neighbors! Nelly Gnu and her mama stop by for a play date, but Llama’s not so sure it’s time to share all his toys. Maybe just his blocks? It could be fun to make a castle with Nelly . . . But wait–Nelly has Llama’s little Fuzzy Llama! The fun turns to tears when Fuzzy Llama is ripped in two, “all because of Nelly Gnu!” Mama comes to the rescue and fixes Fuzzy, but she makes it clear: “I’ll put Fuzzy on the stairs, until you’re sure that you can share.”
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Ocean Lullaby
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Illustrated by Kate Harvey McGee
The sun is setting. The waves are gently lapping at the shore. It’s time for all the ocean creatures to rest. Whales, turtles, dolphins, and more drift and doze. And as the tide pools catch the light of the moon and the stars glowing above, a mother and her baby listen to the soft sounds of the ocean lullaby . . .
Shhh, hush. Shhh, hush. The ocean’s soothing song. Shhh, hush. Shhh, hush. We can sing along.
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Bunny’s Book Club
By Annie Silvestro
Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-WyssBunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night . . . through the library’s book drop!
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The Snowy Day
By Ezra Jack Keats
In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day.
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Ten Thank-You Letters
By Daniel Kirk
Illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Pig is writing a thank-you note to his grandma when his friend Rabbit comes over to play. Eager to get in on the action, Rabbit writes one of his own . . . and another . . . and another . . . until his flurry of thank-you notes has Pig in a tizzy. Pig just wants to finish writing his note in peace! Fortunately, Rabbit’s last thank-you note reminds Pig how lucky he is to have Rabbit as a friend.
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The Little Engine That Could
By Watty Piper
The kindness and determination of the Little Blue Engine have inspired millions of children around the world since the story was first published in 1930. Cherished by readers for ninety years, The Little Engine That Could is a classic tale of a little engine that, despite her size, triumphantly pulls a train full of wonderful things to the children waiting on the other side of a mountain.
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Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
By Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn’t sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then Llama Llama feels badly. Can he and Gilroy try to be friends again?
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The Pudgy Where Is Your Nose? Book
By Grosset & Dunlap
Illustrated by Laura Rader
Where is your nose… your eyes… your ears? Young children can play along with the simple, interactive text, pointing to different parts of their bodies as they turn the pages of this fun and sturdy book.