Read-aloud practice
Kids can practice short stories out loud in a simple, child-first reading space.
Reading practice in development
A calm place to practice reading aloud.
HootWise is being built for growing readers and for teens who want a less cartoon-y practice space. Hear words read aloud, follow along while you read, and turn on reading-comfort controls when a grown-up chooses them.
No guaranteed reading outcomes. No pressure. Just a reading practice tool being shaped carefully for families and educators.
Standard
Practice story
The Little Owl Reads
"The owl sat in the tree. It looked at the moon and hooted softly."
Listen
Read aloud
Try again
Focus
Focus reader
Cold Crossing
Line guide
Word Vault
Space · step line
What HootWise is for
Supportive practice between lessons, bedtime, and busy days.
HootWise is designed as a companion for reading practice. It is not a replacement for parents, teachers, tutors, or reading specialists.
Gentle coaching
The app is being shaped around patient encouragement, retries, and progress without shame or pressure.
Listen support
Built-in listening tools can help a learner hear instructions or a story before trying it themselves.
Reading comfort controls
Grown-ups can turn on supports like a dyslexia-friendly font, larger spacing, steady highlighting, and no speed scores — in Standard or Focus Mode.
Two ways to practice
Standard warmth or Focus calm — same patient coaching.
A grown-up picks the presentation in settings. Both modes follow along while a learner reads aloud and keep comfort controls optional — not clinical, not graded.
Standard
Warm story space for early readers
Familiar kid-first chrome, optional owl buddy, short stories, listen support, and gentle word coaching when a word needs help.
- Story topics for younger growing readers
- Practice warm-ups before reading
- Celebration without shame or pressure
Focus
Calmer chrome for teens and older learners
Neutral layout with minimal mascot, flat topic cards, and tools shaped for longer sessions — including readers who find cartoon UI distracting.
- Teen-oriented story packs and training stats on device
- Word Vault for tricky words and short drill practice
- Line guide, word anchors, and manual line stepping
Comfort, not claims
Helpful settings for learners who need the page to feel easier.
Some readers, including some dyslexic learners, may benefit from different fonts, spacing, backgrounds, and less emphasis on speed. HootWise includes those controls so a grown-up can adjust practice without making the app feel clinical.
HootWise is not a dyslexia diagnosis, treatment, special-education evaluation, or replacement for a teacher, tutor, or reading specialist. Comfort controls are optional supports — not medical promises or guaranteed results.
Dyslexia-friendly font
Extra spacing
Steady highlighting
Sentence spotlight
Word anchors
Line guide
Dark paper theme
No speed scores
Word Vault
Who it may help
Families and educators exploring extra reading practice.
Parents and caregivers looking for a quieter way to encourage reading practice at home.
Teachers and tutors curious about simple practice tools that respect the learner.
Early readers who benefit from hearing words, trying again, and getting steady encouragement.
Teens and older learners who want a quieter, less cartoon-y reader — including some dyslexic readers practicing with a grown-up nearby.
Current status
HootWise is still being built.
The app is not yet available in the App Store. This site is here to explain the direction, gather early interest, and invite thoughtful feedback from adults who care about reading practice.
- In active development — not in the App Store yet
- Early builds for families and educators when we invite testers
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, and browser — real-device testing in progress
- Focus Mode, Word Vault, and comfort controls actively being shaped
- Web preview shared with invited testers only — not a public launch
Early tester fit
Who would be helpful when an early build is ready?
The best first testers are adults who can watch a short practice session, notice where the app feels confusing or encouraging, and share feedback without sending sensitive child information.
Families with an early reader who can try short, low-pressure practice.
Parents of teens who can try Focus Mode and share what feels respectful vs. distracting.
Tutors or specialists who can comment on comfort controls, Word Vault, and coach wording.
Educators curious about local-device reading practice and printable summaries.
Privacy-minded by default
Built with care because kids are involved.
At this stage, the interest form is for adults only. Please do not share a child's name, voice recording, school, diagnosis, or other sensitive information through the form.
Read the plain-language privacy notes before sending a message.
Questions grown-ups may ask
Short answers before you reach out.
Is HootWise an assessment or reading test?
No. HootWise is for practice support between human help. It does not diagnose dyslexia, measure reading level, or replace professional guidance from a teacher, tutor, or specialist.
What should a grown-up set up first?
Before a learner practices, a grown-up should choose reading settings (including Standard or Focus Mode), review the privacy notes, and help with microphone permissions. Comfort controls stay optional — not required for every learner.
Is there a version for older kids or teens?
Yes. Focus Mode is a calmer presentation for teens and older learners: neutral chrome, optional minimal mascot, teen-oriented story topics, Word Vault for tricky words, training stats on the device, and manual line stepping when listening needs a hand. A grown-up turns it on in settings and can pick an onboarding band that includes teen.
What is Word Vault?
In Focus Mode, words a learner flags for help can land in a Word Vault on that device. They can run short drill practice to clear words — support for repetition, not a grade or diagnosis.
Can I try HootWise now?
HootWise is not publicly launched yet. Join the adult update list below if you want progress notes or an invitation to an early build. We share browser preview access with invited testers only — there is no open sign-up link on this page.
Is HootWise for dyslexia?
HootWise includes reading-comfort controls that may help some dyslexic learners, such as a dyslexia-friendly font, more spacing, steady highlighting, and hiding speed scores. It is not a diagnosis, treatment, or guaranteed intervention.
Does HootWise replace a teacher, tutor, or specialist?
No. HootWise is meant to support practice between human help, not replace the people who know the learner.
Does HootWise store a learner's voice?
The current app is designed around local-device practice data, not a HootWise cloud coaching service. Speech behavior varies by surface: iPhone and iPad use Apple speech recognition through the native app shell, while browser speech depends on the browser and platform. Listen accuracy can also vary with microphone quality, background noise, and the device — especially while early builds are still being tested.
Can teachers or tutors use it with students?
That is a likely direction, but the first version should stay simple: local learner profiles, grown-up-controlled settings, and clear expectations that data stays on that device unless exported.
When will it be available?
HootWise is still being built. The update list is for adults who want occasional progress notes or may want to try an early build when it is ready.
Stay in the loop
Interested in HootWise?
Leave a note if you would like updates, want to try an early build when it is ready, or have feedback from a parent or educator point of view.
HootWise is for learners, but the update list and any early testing will be coordinated with grown-ups.
Prefer email? Reach out at hello@hootwise.kids.