The Random House Group and Booktrack announced the launch of their first UK sound-enhanced ebook on the first day of the 2012 London Book Fair (April 16th, 2012).

Sir Andrew Motion’s Silver: Return to Treasure Island, his sequel to the classic Treasure Island, which was published in hardback by Jonathan Cape, pat of The Random House Group, last month, was chosen as the launch title. The ebook version will come with optional sound effects such as wasps buzzing, bacon sizzling and trees swaying, in addition to music.

Sir Andrew said: “I am excited that SILVER will be appearing in a BOOKTRACK edition and I hope that this groundbreaking digital format encourages new readers (and old) to experience narrative in an exciting and innovative way.”

Booktrack creates synchronized soundtracks for e-books that automatically matches music, sound effects and ambient sound to your reading speed to create an immersive reading experience. Initially launched in the US, the popularity of Booktrack was quickly validated with over 100,000 downloads in the first 10 weeks. The Adventures of the Speckled Band Booktrack edition was downloaded in 99 countries around the world, reaching the top 10 iPhone books apps in 20 countries and becoming a top 100 iPad app overall in 2011.

Based on academic research showing that Booktrack actually induces greater retention, memory and increased imagination in young adult readers, the success and quality of Booktrack is also ascribed to the way in which the composers work directly with the authors to ensure the soundtrack truly works in harmony with the text.

Booktrack is funded by investors including, Peter Thiel, co-founder and former CEO of PayPal, and in partnership with the largest publishing houses, best-selling authors, and award-winning composers and musicians,

About Andrew Motion’s Silver

‘Sliver’ is the thrilling follow-up to Treasure Island, told by one of England’s greatest contemporary writers. The date is July, 1802, and the son of Jim Hawkins is visited by the mysterious Natty, daughter of Long John Silver. Silver has chartered a ship; Jim and Natty set off in the footsteps of their fathers, but the thrill of their ocean odyssey gives way to terror as they reach destination, for it seems that Treasure Island is not as uninhabited as it once was...

Featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates, and stories of love, valour and terrible cruelty, Silver is a worthy sequel to Treasure Island and a work of extraordinary authenticity and imaginative power from one of England's greatest writers. In Silver Andrew Motion has performed an astonishing act of ventriloquism, capturing Stevenson’s voice and tone perfectly, and has also written an utterly gripping and original story.