ebenzunlimited
Moderator
Some kids take to reading almost immediately, immersing themselves in imaginary worlds like fish in a pond. Others need a bit more coaxing. When your kids are ready to move beyond story time and you want to encourage their efforts, check out these interactive book apps. Bridging the gap between computer game and book, they're sure to get your kids excited about reading!
kmg 300 peter rabbit screenshot1. Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Price: $4.99
Download: Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit for iPhone and iPad
Beatrix Potter's classic children's tale comes to life beautifully in this excellent app. With fun, interactive elements and stunning use of sound and movement in the popup elements, every image has several interactive elements to enthrall kids and adults alike. Accompanied by a classical piano score and excellent vocal performance, the sounds of birds, bonfires, and the rustling wind offer a whole world to explore.
kmg 300 brush of truth screenshot2. Brush of Truth
Price: $1.99
Download: Brush of Truth for iPad
Brush of Truth is the first offering from Story Bayou, a small company that plans to release more titles aimed at third through sixth graders. Brush of Truth is like the modern version of a Choose Your Own Adventure book; readers follow the story and make decisions that lead to one of many different potential endings, allowing them to customize the story. Some 125 pages of story and lots of colorful illustrations make this an engaging book even for reluctant readers.
kmg 300 pigeon screenshot3. Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App
Price: $6.99
Download: Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App for iPhone and iPad
Author and illustrator Mo Willems' award-winning children's books featuring a mischievous pigeon are probably familiar to many parents, and now the fantastic fowl can be found on iOS devices, helping children create their own interactive literary experience. Kids can listen to a brand new, randomly generated Pigeon story that's different every time or craft their own story by either picking multiple-choice options or adding their own.
kmg 300 monster screenshot4. Another Monster at the End of This Book... Starring Grover & Elmo!
Price: $4.99
Download: Another Monster at the End of This Book for iPhone and iPad
Parents who remember loving the original Monster at the End of this Book will adore the updated sequel. The app has a similar format to the original book but with loads of interactivity that kids will love. Grover tries everything to keep kids from getting to the end of the book, but kids can knock over his walls, pull off paper clips, and have a great time reading and learning.
kmg 300 toy story screenshot5. Toy Story Read-Along
Price: Free
Download: Toy Story Read-Along for iPad
Disney has quite a few interactive books for kids, but Toy Story Read-Along definitely leads the pack in innovative design that uses the iPad's potential fully. Your child can listen to the story read aloud, or record their own narration, and each animated page features sound effects and character voices. There are also coloring pages, songs, movie clips, and mini games. And it's even free!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore iPad App Trailer on Vimeo
6. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Price: $4.99
Download: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore for iPad
Leave it to a former Pixar animator like William Joyce to create a stunningly gorgeous and fantastic interactive story like the Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. The app eschews annoying scripted actions and cheesy animations in favor of a subtle, intuitive design that allows readers to explore and play as much or as little as they wish. Blurring the line between picture book and animated film, the story centers around people who love books and the books that love them back.
Start your kids on a life of reading fun
Reading is fundamental, they say ? and with these apps, it can also be incredibly fun. Using the best parts of interactive technology, kids will have hours of fun exploring the worlds of these classic and new books. While an iPad is certainly no replacement for an actual, physical book, the endless options presented by the tablet offer an exciting new experience for new and experienced readers.
http://www.tecca.com/columns/interactive-reading-apps-for-kids/
kmg 300 peter rabbit screenshot1. Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Price: $4.99
Download: Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit for iPhone and iPad
Beatrix Potter's classic children's tale comes to life beautifully in this excellent app. With fun, interactive elements and stunning use of sound and movement in the popup elements, every image has several interactive elements to enthrall kids and adults alike. Accompanied by a classical piano score and excellent vocal performance, the sounds of birds, bonfires, and the rustling wind offer a whole world to explore.
kmg 300 brush of truth screenshot2. Brush of Truth
Price: $1.99
Download: Brush of Truth for iPad
Brush of Truth is the first offering from Story Bayou, a small company that plans to release more titles aimed at third through sixth graders. Brush of Truth is like the modern version of a Choose Your Own Adventure book; readers follow the story and make decisions that lead to one of many different potential endings, allowing them to customize the story. Some 125 pages of story and lots of colorful illustrations make this an engaging book even for reluctant readers.
kmg 300 pigeon screenshot3. Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App
Price: $6.99
Download: Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App for iPhone and iPad
Author and illustrator Mo Willems' award-winning children's books featuring a mischievous pigeon are probably familiar to many parents, and now the fantastic fowl can be found on iOS devices, helping children create their own interactive literary experience. Kids can listen to a brand new, randomly generated Pigeon story that's different every time or craft their own story by either picking multiple-choice options or adding their own.
kmg 300 monster screenshot4. Another Monster at the End of This Book... Starring Grover & Elmo!
Price: $4.99
Download: Another Monster at the End of This Book for iPhone and iPad
Parents who remember loving the original Monster at the End of this Book will adore the updated sequel. The app has a similar format to the original book but with loads of interactivity that kids will love. Grover tries everything to keep kids from getting to the end of the book, but kids can knock over his walls, pull off paper clips, and have a great time reading and learning.
kmg 300 toy story screenshot5. Toy Story Read-Along
Price: Free
Download: Toy Story Read-Along for iPad
Disney has quite a few interactive books for kids, but Toy Story Read-Along definitely leads the pack in innovative design that uses the iPad's potential fully. Your child can listen to the story read aloud, or record their own narration, and each animated page features sound effects and character voices. There are also coloring pages, songs, movie clips, and mini games. And it's even free!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore iPad App Trailer on Vimeo
6. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Price: $4.99
Download: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore for iPad
Leave it to a former Pixar animator like William Joyce to create a stunningly gorgeous and fantastic interactive story like the Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. The app eschews annoying scripted actions and cheesy animations in favor of a subtle, intuitive design that allows readers to explore and play as much or as little as they wish. Blurring the line between picture book and animated film, the story centers around people who love books and the books that love them back.
Start your kids on a life of reading fun
Reading is fundamental, they say ? and with these apps, it can also be incredibly fun. Using the best parts of interactive technology, kids will have hours of fun exploring the worlds of these classic and new books. While an iPad is certainly no replacement for an actual, physical book, the endless options presented by the tablet offer an exciting new experience for new and experienced readers.
http://www.tecca.com/columns/interactive-reading-apps-for-kids/
