You are here: Home > PENpal Audio Products & Value Sets > What Is the PENpal?
Choose a sub category:
FreeLINK Audio Files PENpal-Enabled Books Quick Start & Technical Support
Shop PENpal Products & Value Sets

What is the PENpal Audio Recorder Pen?

The award-winning digital PENpal Audio Recorder Pen allows readers to listen to content in many languages by simply touching the pen to books, charts, and labels.

The PENpal is portable, durable, and easy to use, allowing for over 250 hours of audio content.
Interactive, enjoyable, and effective
  • Tap and listen to talking books, posters, and voice recordable labels
  • Personalize instruction
  • Use individually, in groups, and send home with parents
  • Download 100s of free audio files
  • Easily switch between languages
See the PENpal in action in this video:
PENpal: the possibilities are endless!

Purchase the PENpal device and PENpal-enabled books separately, or select our cost-effective and easy-to-use PENpal Value Sets. These special sets include PENpal- enabled books with audio files pre-loaded to your PENpal device.

Download hundreds of audio files to add even more PENpal-enabled talking books to your PEN via the FreeLINK site.

Record your own voice, music, or sound effects with recordable labels.

Who is it for?

PENpal supports reading, writing, speaking, and listening for:

  • English (ELL) & foreign language learners
  • Learners with special needs
  • Students of all ages in need of an inclusive resource that develops literacy skills

Click here to learn about the many creative ways the PENpal can support learning in your language and literacy classroom.

Record your own voice with recordable labels
  • Record language, music, messages, or sound effects
  • Update recordings at any time
  • Allow students to record and playback their own recordings
Learn how to record your own voice with the PENpal in this video:
Educators and librarians love the PENpal! “Verdict - Be inspired! This is one of the most enjoyable and useful resources I’ve seen in a long time. The recording function opens up all sorts of creative avenues. You’ll be amazed at what it inspires you to do!” - Dave Lews, Primary teacher “PENpal and accompanying materials can help in provision of culturally responsive instruction, forging strong links between the home and school. This resource also supports schools in developing home literacy partnerships as it is easy to use and can be lent to families to work with at home.” - Dr. Raymonde Sneddon, Cass School of Education “We are the first library in Westchester County to circulate PENpals and they are a wonderful asset to our collection. PENpals help our patrons to learn a new language, reinforce their native language, foster a love of reading and enhance their vocabulary and listening skills via an interactive format. One of our patrons mentioned that her son loved it and another mom said that they are super tools that are helping her daughter reinforce her Spanish and reinforce her English. She is so grateful to the library for having such innovative materials.” - Barbara Cohen, Bilingual Children's Librarian, Warner Library “Differentiated instruction is possible with PENpal and recordable labels. It’s perfect for the varied needs of all my students who struggle with learning and need customized instruction.”

- Kris Cresco, Administrator