convert text file to mp3.file

is there any software whcih can read a text file and make it a mp3 file or any sound file that can be played in mp3 player or CD player?

In the past I have helped a blind student studying MS in CS, he scaned his textbook and a software then reads the text to him, the pronounciation is not bad. But I don't know the name of the software and whether there is one way to convert the text into mp3 file to be played on the go with a mp3 player.

Thanks for any help!