Vooks is an American educational streaming platform that produces and distributes animated storybooks for children.[1] The service combines illustrated picture books with animation, professional voice narration, read-along text highlighting, and accompanying music and sound effects. Vooks is based in Portland, Oregon, and operates on a subscription model.[2] The xplatform is available internationally through web browsers and mobile applications.
 | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational technology / Streaming media |
| Founder | Shannon Bex, Russell Hirtzel, and Marshall Bex |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Streaming platform for animated children's storybooks |
| Services | Subscription video on demand (SVOD) |
| Website | https://www.vooks.com |
The platform’s content is intended to support early literacy by integrating visual and auditory storytelling elements. Independent reviews have described Vooks as a child-focused reading platform distinct from general video-sharing services, and it is commonly used by parents and educators seeking digital reading materials for children.[1][3]
History
editVooks was founded in 2018 by Shannon Bex, Russell Hirtzel, and Marshall Bex. Prior to co-founding the company, Shannon Bex was a member of the pop group Danity Kane.[4]
Together with her brother Marshall Bex and creative director Hirtzel, she established the company with the goal of adapting picture books into animated, narrated digital formats.[5]
Since its launch, Vooks has expanded its catalog to include a range of titles in multiple languages, including Spanish titles introduced during Hispanic Heritage Month and a selection of Hindi-language storybooks.[6] The company has formed partnerships with services such as Amazon Prime Video, Discovery Education, and Kanopy, as well as several international airlines, enabling access to its content across various media platforms.[1][7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vooks was cited by publications such as Barron for its role in providing digital reading resources amid increased demand for online educational tools.[1]
Awards and recognition
editVooks has received recognition from Academics’ Choice, an organization that evaluates educational media and products. The platform has also been featured in media outlets including GeekDad, Cool Mom Tech, and Smarter Learning Guide for its work in developing digital storybook adaptations.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Nudelman, Geoff. "Good Company: Vooks Platform for Accessible and Relevant Learning". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Inc. Company Profile".
- ^ a b Ruiz, Mariana (2020-07-11). "Geekdad Review—Vooks: Bringing Storybooks to Life". GeekDad. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "How Danity Kane Alum Shannon Bex and Her Branding-Guru Brother Created a Dynamic Platform to Stream Children's Books".
- ^ "In Her Own Words: Vooks co-founder Shannon Bex stows suitcases to focus on virtual books". The Business Journals. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Lafayettepublished, Jon (2021-09-15). "Vooks Adding 15 Books in Spanish To Mark Hispanic Heritage Month". Broadcasting+Cable. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Team, AnimationXpress (2023-05-17). "KidsBeeTV and Vooks to bring 50+ animated book titles to its kids' platform". Retrieved 2025-10-16.