Ethernet cables are common among tree-dwelling children, who use the durable ropes to swing their way through forest canopies. Connect with your children regardless of your physical reach with today's Groupon: for $25, you get a one-year subscription (a $99.95 value) to Readeo, an online service for long-distance children's-book sharing.

Readeo is an online service that connects far-flung family members through a high-resolution video chat that creates a shared reading experience. Unlike other webcam services, Readeo's "BookChat" allows two parties to not only see and hear each other, but to share an interactive online book, literally putting both parties on the same page. For one year, you will be able to choose stories from an ever-expanding digital library packed with beautifully written and illustrated children's books. Only one party needs to be registered, so you'll be able to sign in and send free guest invites to as many family members as you might desire, who can then connect to your account. Grandparents can join grandchildren who live overseas, and parents can connect with their own parents when overwhelmed by the stresses of parenting. Like glittering stars peeking through the dark firmament of atmospheric pollution, family members will stand separate but together through the shared experience of storytelling.

Reviews

Readeo has received a great deal of coverage in the blogosphere and beyond. About.com's Parenting Preschoolers Blog, Cool Mom Picks, and Chicago Now's Wee Windy City blog have this to say:

• I love this whole concept. For military families and in any instance where a child is separated from an adult that they love. – Amanda Rock, About.com
• My kids were mesmerized by the vivid graphics in the actual books and it was fun to be able to see my niece's reaction as she was seeing and hearing the very same thing. It took me a few minutes to navigate around and figure out how to invite others to join and then connect up on the site. Once I got that part set up, the rest of the experience was a breeze. My nearly six year-old daughter was able to choose books and get started all on her own. – Caitlin Giles, Wee Windy City:
• I can't stop thinking about all the applications for this wonderful site: Military parents can tuck in their kids at night, grandparents who live far away can choose a favorite bedtime story to tell, divorced parents can share bedtime duties, parents traveling on business don't have to miss out on a quiet moment with their children. Heck, my kids even like the novelty of sitting on my lap and reading a book on the computer with me, without the webcam at all. –Stephanie, Cool Mom Picks