Downpour.com is a lesser-known audiobook source that still features some good deals! It's similar to Libro.fm, where most of the titles are DRM-free and ready to put on Yoto cards. Read on for everything you need to know about using Downpour for Yoto Cards.
What is Downpour?
Downpour.com is a website that sells audiobooks. Their library is currently around 80,000 titles, which is less than some of their competitors, but they are adding new titles regularly. Downpour has more adult and YA titles than children's books, but there are still some gems available!
One big benefit of Downpour is that most of its audiobooks are DRM-free, which means you can download them directly. Other websites, like Audible, make it impossible to download the books you own to listen to them on platforms other than their own app, but Downpour lets you stream and download your audiobooks into MP3 files. That means most titles can be downloaded and turned into Yoto cards!
But before we get into that, let's cover how Downpour works.
How do you turn audiobooks from Downpour into Yoto cards?
You'll need to use a computer; I haven't found a way to download just the file on mobile devices. (The app only lets you download the file for offline listening within the app, and the browser version for mobile devices changes the "Download Title" option to "Listen in App" with and app link)
On a computer: Look for the user/account icon in the top right corner. Hover over that and you'll see My Library. Each of your library titles will show up there, with a download option on the far right. Choose Mp3 and it will download to your computer. You may need to unzip the file if it's a collection of stories.
Here's an example. If I click on "Llama Llama Red Pajama" in my library, these Details will show up below the album. The blue download button on the bottom right will trigger the popup, where I'll click on the download button. Then on my computer, the zipped file will show up in my folders (shown at the bottom). After double-clicking it to unlock (or right-click on a PC < unzip), I got a folder with all 20 files inside!
Then I just add those files to a playlist. There are more directions about MYO playlists if you've never done that before.
Disney/Pixar Titles - Can I use them on Yoto cards?
There are a lot of Disney or Pixar titles by Disney Press that show up on Downpour - Like Moana, Star Wars, Finding Nemo, Princess Stories, Descendants, Frozen, etc.
Downpour makes it look like the mp3 download is available - but they are being a bit misleading here.
You can purchase these titles in an MP3 format, and you would be able to download them within the Downpour app to listen offline, but you will NOT be able to download the files to use on Yoto cards.
That's because of DRM, or Digital Rights Management. Basically, Disney only lets their files be sold in certain ways, and they don't let you the actual audio file. So you can listen with the Downpour app, and even download it for offline use, but you won't be able to see where the actual mp3 file is stored to put it on a playlist.
Here's an example of a Moana title, which is produced by Disney. That blue down arrow icon in the middle indicates that you can get this file in a Digital Download format.
But when you click on Buy Now, you'll get this popup, indicating you must use the Downpour app to listen. That means you won't be able to put Disney Titles from Downpour on a Yoto Card.
There are two kinda-sorta workarounds.
- This one mostly defeats the purpose of the Yoto since you don't actually use a card. If you purchase a DRM file from Downpour, you could use the Yoto as a Bluetooth speaker. Basically you ignore the Yoto app and MYO functionality altogether, and just play the file from Downpour, and route it to the Yoto speaker (which is the same as connecting your AirPods or other Bluetooth device to your phone). This doesn't fit with the ideal use of Yoto as a device kids can use without adult help, but it is an option.
- Some of these titles are available on Audible, and there is a way to jailbreak the DRM off audible titles if you are comfortable with it. Many people view this as converting a file you purchased into a child-friendly format like a Yoto Card. Read this post for how.
Downpour Memberships
Memberships for Downpour cost $13 a month and you get one credit each month. Most audiobooks only cost one credit, so you'll be able to get one new audiobook each month. There are a few exceptions to this that cost more, but over 80-% of their library cost just 1 credit.
Credits expire after 12 months, so you have a full year to use each credit. You can also purchase additional credits for $13 each if you'd like more books each month. It's nice because audiobooks on other sites are more expensive, but you can get almost any of the audiobooks on Downpour for only $13 each!
You can do a free trial, which just means your first month is free (so you get a free audiobook credit). The following month, you will be charged $13 like normal.
Do you need a membership to buy audiobooks?
No. You don't need a membership to purchase books from Downpour.com.
But, while you can purchase and download audiobooks on Downpour a la carte, the membership does make expensive audiobooks cheaper. If your book costs more than $13 then it would be better to have a membership and use a credit, instead of paying the out-of-pocket price. I recommend making a list of what you want and seeing if there are enough to warrant a membership for a few months.
Usually, I just buy the super cheap children's books that are under $13 anyway. I cherry-pick the items I want from sales, so I do not currently have a Downpour membership. But it just depends on what selections you are looking at - most adult fiction and YA series are over that $13 mark.
Best Audiobooks for Kids from Downpour
If you've signed up for Downpour and you're looking for audiobooks to turn into Yoto cards, here are a few suggestions.
Christmas Stories
If you want any Christmas content, Downpour is a great place to get some of the classic short stories like How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I got both of them on sale for under $2 a piece!
I also grabbed Happy Narwhalidays (which is Narwhal and Jelly book #5).
This content works great for a Christmas advent calendar, if you're doing one!
Llama Llama Books
The Llama Llama picture books are super short and sweet - and there are 20 in this set!
At under $7, it's a score. Especially since Yoto sells 10 books as a 10-card set for way more! I voted to put all those MP3s on a single card and save space AND money.
Goodnight, Moon
This classic tale is perfect for any bedtime. Follow along as the narrator says goodnight to everything in the room. A favorite of toddlers everywhere!
Doggo And Pupper Series
These are super short stories, perfect for toddler animal fans. Doggo and Pupper is about a well-trained dog and what happens when a new, wild, untrained pupper shows up. Don't forget book 2 and book 3; each one is $1-2!
If you'd rather just grab this from Yoto directly, all three stories are included on a single card here. It's a tiny bit more expensive than DIY-ing it from Downpour, but only barely.
Narwhal and Jelly Books
Downpour sells Narwhal and Jelly books 1-5 as a set, making it cheaper than the Yoto set of 4. You can also get books 6-8 as well, which Yoto does not have.
Arthur Adventures Series
Remember Arthur and D. W. on PBS Kids? There are books about the Arthur Adventures!
The easiest way to find Arthur Adventures is to find them is to search by the author, Marc Brown.
Mary Poppins
Enjoy the timeless tale of Mary Poppins as she becomes the nanny of the Banks children. Your kids will love the intriguing nanny who can slide up banisters and fit all sorts of things in her bag.
Dragon Masters
This book is perfect for any child who loves stories about magic and fantastical beasts! Drake, an 8-year-old boy, is trained as a dragon master with three other children. Follow along as they learn to connect with their dragons and discover their powers.
Here is the first Earth Dragon book, the second Sun Dragon book, and the third Water Dragon book. There are 24 in all - my son LOVED them as early chapter books for young listeners.
Yoto also just released the first three Dragon Masters books as a 3-card set.
You decide which is a better deal for you: each book is $4-7 from Downpour, and you could combine multiple on Yoto cards, or buy the set directly from Yoto and have the resale value.
One thing to note that is that the official cards are only available as a pack, and Yoto is not likely to release more than those first three books.
Paddington
This is the classic story of a bear named Paddington who begins living with the Brown family. Of course, bears don't understand all human customs, and hilarity ensues! It's about 2.5 hours long.
Here's the first Paddington book, read by Stephen Fry.
Oakleaf Academy: First Day At Fairy School
This cute book is all about Poppy and her adventures at Oakleaf Academy. After growing up in a human town, she's shocked to be surrounded by so many magical creatures! Listen as she makes friends, learns, and gets up to all sorts of misadventures.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Mr. Popper wants to go to Antarctica but instead gets a surprise he never expected! When Admiral Drake sends him a penguin, his life drastically changes to accommodate not one, but 12 amusing birds.
Follow Mr. Popper's adventures with his twelve penguins.
Percy Jackson Books and other Rick Riordan titles
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a favorite listen among elementary schoolers. Bring on all the Greek Mythic heroes!
Rick Riordan has several other popular series and a line of new fantasies from diverse authors.
Animorphs
If your kids like science fiction, they'll enjoy this series! It's about a group of friends who stumble across an alien spaceship and receive the ability to turn into animals.
Here's the first book, but you can also get the rest of the series on Downpour. Just a heads up, it's a very long series, which is great news for parents!
If you've been looking for a good source to purchase downloadable audiobooks, Downpour is one you should definitely consider. While they don't have as many options as other audiobook sources, they are growing each day and their membership is affordable. You can get most of the audiobooks on their site for only one credit, which means you're only paying about $13 per book!
You can easily turn your audiobooks from Downpour into Yoto cards or just download the MP3 files to listen to on other devices! But if you're looking for a place to build up your Yoto collection, Downpour can help.
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