Category Archives: interactive book apps

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KIDS DISCOVER – Galaxies

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Galaxies

Galaxies by KIDS DISCOVER is FREE for a limited time! KIDS DISCOVER has been creating award-winning content for kids for over 20 years. The app features interactive 3-D models, HD videos, hands-on activities and more to teach kids all about galaxies – how they are born, the kinds of galaxies, galaxy clusters, etc. The app was chosen by Apple as “New & Noteworthy” in 2013 and has been downloaded over 75,00 times! If you love KIDS DISCOVER books, you’ll love the apps. The app normally sells for $3.99 so download it today while it is FREE. 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/galaxies-by-kids-discover/id593605368?mt=8&uo=4

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Leonard

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Leonard

FREE again for a limited time – Leonard, a fun interactive story about a young boy with an excellent imagination. When Leonard’s family moves from the city to the country, he is met with the challenge of finding new friends. He searches everywhere – a bug-filled forest, underwater, outer space, a safari, even his sister’s tea party. Kids join Leonard on his problem-solving adventure and encounter interactive surprises along the way. The story has 2 reading modes: read it myself or read it to me. Leonard is a beautifully illustrated, sweet story that your kids are sure to enjoy!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leonard/id508815860?mt=8&uo=4

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Pan: The Fearless Beribot and Pan: Chasing the Keeper

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Pan: The Fearless Beribot and Pan: Chasing the Keeper are currently FREE. These e-books are the first two in a series about Pan, a sweet purple panda on a quest to find her family. Both apps are beautifully illustrated and full of animations & interactivity. Kids can tap, swipe, and tilt their way through the story to uncover many interactive surprises. Highlighted text helps early readers follow along with the narration. Also, pictures of the characters appear next to the text to indicate who is speaking. The app is professionally narrated with great sound effects and original music. No wonder the first Pan book was named as “New & Noteworthy” by Apple – these apps are beautifully done!!

Download links: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pan-the-fearless-beribolt/id648998642?mt=8&uo=4 AND https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pan-chasing-the-keeper/id729686081?mt=8&uo=4

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Scruffy Kitty

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scruffy kitty

FREE today – Scruffy Kitty, an interactive story about an adorable stray cat. Kids will enjoy this brightly illustrated tale with fun interactions on every page. The story is professionally narrated in 5 languages: English, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese – perfect for kids who are bilingual or learning another language. The app also includes a sticker page. Kids can use stickers to create a picture then save their creation into the photo library. Check out the story of this cute little kitty today. 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scruffy-kitty/id393514552?mt=8&uo=4

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Sparky the Shark Funny Animated Interactive Kids Storybook HD 2.1

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sharky

FREE for a limited time – Sparky the Shark, a fun interactive story for kids. Sparky is a friendly shark who does not understand why he frightens people. He and his penguin pal, Dax, try to fix the problem by getting Sparky a new look. They try different teeth and a variety of disguises. Eventually Sparky is accepted for who he is. The app has 2 modes – “read to me” and “read it myself.” There are 90+ interactive hidden hot spots in the story for kids to discover. There is also a “fun disguises page” where kids can dress Sparky in goofy teeth, hats, ties, & googly eyes. Then they can take his photo. What a great app – a fun interactive experience with an important message about wanting to be accepted and believing in one’s self. No wonder it was a finalist in the Australian Mobile Awards!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sparky-shark-funny-animated/id478654371?mt=8&uo=4

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Mibblio

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mibblio

Mibblio is an interactive musical/storybook app for kids. Children read the illustrated story-songs called “mibblets” as they listen to the catchy tunes. They can also jam along on a variety of instruments. The app has a keyboard along the bottom of the screen with a choice of 8 different instruments. They can also use a tambourine or cowbell to tap along to the beat of the song. Some “mibblets” are based on well-known songs such as The Farmer in the Dell. Others are original compositions. The FREE download includes your choice of 1 “mibblet” with additional “mibblets” available as in-app purchases. I chose I Like ’em Sunny Side Up which was adorable!

You can preview the app and all of the “mibblets” online @Mibblio – An interactive musical children’s book app for iPad. Mibblio has been featured in Parents Magazine, Mashable, The Guardian, Wired Magazine, Gizmodo, Children’s Technology Review, and more. It was also listed on The Guardian’s “50 Best Apps for Kids from 2013 that Parents Can Trust.”

Mibblio - Mibblio

bus

And for a limited time, Wheels on the Bus, Mibblio’s #1 in-app purchase is also FREE. Here’s the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-the-bus-band/id820378253?mt=8&uo=4

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Millie Was Here, Book 1 and Millie’s Crazy Dinosaur Adventure, Book 3

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I am a HUGE fan of the Millie Was Here series – these apps are adorable. They are loaded with fun interactivity that really adds to the story. Kids will be delighted and engaged as they join Millie on her adventures. These kid-appealing apps will produce lots of smiles. 🙂

Millie Was Here – Millie’s first adventure is currently FREE. This award-winning interactive book for kids has been one of my favorites since I started my blog. The story follows Millie on her first adventure. Millie (a lovable dog) has super powers, loves bacon, and is a master of disguise. I love everything about this app – the narration, music, interactivity, and Millie – the super cute star of the book. The story is available in 11 languages. The app automatically sets itself to the language of your device – how cool is that!

Millie Was Here, Book 1: Meet Millie - Megapops LLC

Millie3

Also FREE – Millie’s Crazy Dinosaur Adventure, the third book in the Millie series for the iPhone/iPad. Millie’s adventures continue when she goes to a birthday party for Kitty and forgets to bring a present. Millie builds a time machine to solve the problem. She goes back a bit too far and lands in prehistoric times with the dinosaurs! The result is another fun Millie story loaded with interactivity. Kids LOVE these books!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/millies-crazy-dinosaur-adventure/id695161183?mt=8&uo=4

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The Tree I See

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FREE for a limited time – The Tree I See, a storybook app for iPhone/iPad. Geared towards toddlers, this educational app tells a story about a little boy who spends time with a tree that willingly gives and shares with wilderness friends. The Tree I See is a beautifully animated story about sharing and what it means to be a friend.  🙂

The Tree I See - Interactive Storybook - Aridan Books

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Oscar Finds a New Home

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image Educational app, FREE for a limited time – Oscar Finds a Home,a “You Tell Me” story. In this story, a cute little dachshund named Oscar finds himself in a dog shelter waiting to be adopted. Oscar gets more and more worried as other dogs are chosen. Just when the shelter is about to close, little Joey comes along and takes Oscar home. Cute story!

“You Tell Me” stories are designed with some special features: 1. They incorporate WordWinks into the story. WordWinks are questions and comments written in red italics. To maximize children’s understanding of the story, teachers often add comments/questions as they read aloud. WordWinks are meant to model that teacher voice. 2. They have a “Retell, Record & Share” section. Kids are asked to order 4 scenes from the story then record their own version of the story to share with grandparents or friends. the app is nicely done! If you have a preschooler or early reader, check out this e-book. I love that it emphasizes “thinking about reading.”

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oscar-finds-a-home/id671135618?mt=8&uo=4

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Reading Rainbow

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Reading Rainbow is a library of over 200 books and videos for kids ages 3 – 9. This educational app is FREE to download but requires a subscription ($9.99 per month or $29.99 for 6 months) for full access. Once you subscribe, your children (up to 5 per family) will have unlimited access to the interactive books and video trips. This app is similar to the award-winning Reading Rainbow television series that was on PBS from 1983 – 2006. It even features the same host – Grammy winner, LeVar Burton. In less than a year, over 2.5 million books/video field trips have been viewed with this app!

After installing the app, kids fill out their profile (name, age, kinds of stories they like to read) and may choose one free book from one of the 6 themed island in the sky. The books are professionally read and feature “Read to Me” or “Read on My Own” options. They are lightly animated and include interactive activities that add to the story. A sticker rewards program motivates kids to read. There is also an individualized tracking system so parents can see books selected and minutes read for each child.

I must admit, I downloaded this app because of nostalgia. My kids grew up watching Reading Rainbow and we all loved it. I am happy to say that the appeal of Reading Rainbow today is the same as it was almost 30 years ago – Reading Rainbow provides kids with quality authentic literature. If I had a child/ grandchild (ages 3-9) or if I were still in the classroom, I would subscribe without hesitation. What a fabulous resource!

Highly Recommended!

Reading Rainbow - Reading Rainbow