If you’ve discovered Librivox and wondered how to get those free classic audiobooks onto your Yoto Player, this guide will walk you through the process clearly and simply.
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Using Librivox with Yoto Make Your Own (MYO) cards is a fantastic way to build a library of unabridged classics at very low cost. If you’re looking for other ways to access free content for your Yoto check out this post.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1 – Find Your Book on Librivox
Go to Librivox.org. There are two options Read (green) or Listen (blue). Click on Listen (blue) and search for the title you’d like.
You can also search by author, genre/ subject or language – use the tabs on the search page.
Look for:
- Complete versions (not “dramatic readings” unless that’s your preference)
- Solo reader versions if you prefer consistent narration
- Good listener reviews where available
Tip: Always preview a chapter before downloading.
Step 2 – Download the MP3 Files
Most books are organised by chapter.
Download:
- Either individual chapter MP3 files
- Or the complete ZIP file if available
Unzip files on your computer if needed.
Step 3 – Log Into Your Yoto Account
Go to your Yoto account online. You will need to be logged into your account to add the content. This is the website address – https://my.yotoplay.com/my-cards. There are two options ‘Playlists’ and ‘Podcasts’. We’ll be using ‘Playlists’. If you’d like more information about Podcasts then check out this blog post.
Click onto the plus sign to ‘Add Playlist’
Name your playlist clearly:
Example: “Winnie the Pooh – Unabridged”
Tip: Adding a description is optional. I’ve found it helpful to add age recommendations and brief synopsis here. I look after the Yotos for my daughter, niece and nephew who are all different ages. If they are selecting books on the app it helps them to know if it is a book suitable for them personally.
Using the Yoto app?
If you’re using the Yoto app make sure you are on ‘Library’ (from the bottom icons). Then select ‘Playlists’ and ‘Make playlists’.
Step 4 – Upload the MP3 Files
Select the ‘Add audio’ button. Drag and drop or upload the chapter files in order. Depending upon the size of the files it can take some time to upload. It will state ‘Processing’.
Tip: Sometimes when you download files then can appear not in chapter sequence. Make sure to click on ‘title’ to order the chapters correctly before you upload.
MOST IMPORTANT: Make sure you click ‘Create’ once all your files are uploaded. I’ve forgotten several times before!
Final Check:
- File names are sequential
- Chapters play in the correct order
- Volume levels feel consistent
You can add a digital cover for your card by uploading an image file. Each individual chapter can also have its own pixel art. For how to make and upload your pixel art check out this post.
Step 5 – Assign to a MYO Card
Insert your MYO card and link it to the playlist. If you’re using the app you can can assign the content to a MYO card direct from your phone rather than using your player.
Where to Buy Yoto Make Your Own Cards
Step 6 – Test Before Giving to Your Child
Always:
- Play first chapter – I actually prefer to listen to all the content first on my own or depending upon the content, with my daughter
- Check navigation works as this avoids frustration later
Tip: Do be aware that the content available on LibriVox is there because it is in the public domain an often out of copyright restrictions. This can mean texts may have problematic language or themes that you may not want your family to listen to. This is one of the main reasons I want to listen to audio first before I allow children to listen to it.
Things to Be Aware Of
- Librivox quality varies (volunteer recordings)
- As mentioned, some older language may need discussion or you may find it unsuitable
- File organisation takes a few minutes initially
- Each MYO card has a storage limit (check current capacity)
Once you’ve done it once, the process becomes very quick and you’ll find yourself wanting to create more MYO cards!
Why Families Love This Method
- Access to huge range of classics
- Low cost
- Control over narration style
- Supports literature-based learning
- Encourages longer listening sessions
If you enjoy curating your child’s audio library, Librivox + Yoto MYO is an incredibly powerful combination.
Where to Buy Yoto Players and Yoto discount codes
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