About the time his son Oliver turned 3, Coby Neuenschwander was concerned about the distance between the youngster and his grandparents.

They were having trouble establishing a meaningful relationship, Neuenschwander said.

As a result, he wanted to create something that would foster his son's relationship with his grandparents.

"It was difficult to get meaningful video chat between my son and his grandparents," Neuenschwander said. "We only visited with them a couple of times a year and video chat did not hold Oliver's attention."

In February, Neuenschwander launched Readeo, a Web-based interactive program designed to help connect children and family members who do not live nearby. Subsequently, in honor and celebration of April being The Month of the Military Child, Readeo is offering a free six-month trial membership to all active duty military and their families. 

"I want to show my appreciation for the sacrifices that military families make," he said. "Also, military families are frequently separated, and most of them don't live near other family. Readeo can help bring them closer together."  

The basic premise of the program is simple. First, people at two different locations any place in the world can set up accounts. One account can be a guest account, which is free of charge, and one account is a paid account. The cost is $9.95 a month. Once both accounts are created the members can select a book to read together online. The only equipment needed is a computer with a webcam and high speed Internet.  

Combining children's books with video chat, Readeo creates a shared reading experience called BookChat where people can see, hear, read and interact with children just as they would if they were in the same room, Neuenschwander said.

In conjunction with four publishers - Simon & Schuster Inc., Candlewick Press, Chronicle Books and Blue Apple Books - Readeo has about 50 children's books available to read through the Web site. Jenny Brown, a children's review editor, selects the books. 

"The idea that a father stationed abroad or a mother on a business trip can read his or her child a bedtime story from hundreds or even thousands of miles away represents a wonderful use of electronic books," he said. "Reading together is an activity that is culturally ingrained in us, and there is something inherently valuable about reading together."  

To create a Readeo account, visit the Web site at www.readeo.com. One person can create a free guest account, while the other person creates a paid account.  To get a code for a free six-month membership military families should email basic information about their military service to mil@readeo.com.  This information is used to verify military service.  Upon receipt of their information, Readeo will e-mail a code that can be used at any time.  The six-month subscription begins with the initial login.  For families with a military servicemember deploying, the code can be used when the soldier deploys.  The deadline to receive a free code is April 30.