Talking arduino

I've already made the PCMAudio example that you can see in the playground. Now I want to make the same but with an external EEPRROM. I d'n't know it the reading EEPROM rate will be enough. Someone suggested that yes is possible. I didn't found any reference doing this.

In any case, which one is the best and cheaper way to make the arduino talk. I mean audio synthesis: recording my daughter's voice and make a dolly speaking with her voice.

In the market is plenty of gadgets that talk.. Which technique are they using? I think that the best solution are ISD chips, but I found them expensive ang difficult to buy.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Joan Quintana