We have placed online the beginning of Lynne Cox's book 
GRAYSON, the story of her encounter with an
orphaned baby gray whale off the coast of California.  The 
online version is a multimedia e-book with the display of 
text phrasally cued and synchronized to the author's 
reading.

It is available here:

http://cetl.edtech.csulb.edu/grayson

Two controls are available to the user.  One controls the 
timing of the text highlighting, which can be advanced 
relative to the audio, allowing for the user to read in 
concert with the author.  The second control lengthens 
pauses, effectively slowing the reading, particularly for 
developing readers and for English-language learners.  The 
book has been developed in conjunction with the annual 
activities of Long Beach Reads One Book.

The text is syntactically fairly simple, and the author's 
reading pace will put it in reach for many learners.

We're always happy to get suggestions and comments.

Robert Berdan
Center for Educational Technology and Learning
California State University, Long Beach