OUR STORY
It Started With One Grandfather
ReadAlong was inspired by a simple but powerful discovery: the lasting comfort of hearing the voice of someone you love.
The idea for PleaseReadAStoryToMe began with a simple discovery in our home— an old audio recording of a grandfather reading children’s books to his first granddaughter.
That grandfather was my father, James Dawes. Years ago, he recorded himself reading several beloved storybooks so his granddaughter could listen to them whenever she wished. At the time, it was a thoughtful gift. But after he passed away in 2021, those recordings became something far more meaningful than we ever expected.
Today, his grandchildren—and even his adult children—can still hear his voice reading those stories. Those recordings preserve not just the books themselves, but the warmth, personality, and love in his voice.
What began as a few simple recordings became a way to hold onto someone we loved — and a reminder that a voice can become a lasting gift.
That experience sparked a powerful idea: every family should have the chance to preserve moments like this.
That is why we created ReadAlong — to help families capture and share the voices of the people they love, one story at a time.
Why We Built ReadAlong
ReadAlong is more than a reading tool. It is a way for families to stay connected, preserve meaningful moments, and create something children can return to for years.
Turn familiar storybooks into family keepsakes children can revisit again and again.
Help children feel close to parents, grandparents, and loved ones — even from far away.