Tag Archives: interactive book apps

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La Luna: The Story Project

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FREE for a limited time – La Luna, an educational app based on Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short film. This app was selected as “Innovative Kids App” in the U.S. for the App Store’s Best of 2013! It includes the full theatrical release of the short film.

La Luna is a beautifully told fable of a young boy coming to age. It features the original artwork of Enrico Casarosa, the film’s director. The app includes 3 ways to enjoy the interactive story – as a short film, an interactive video, or a storybook. Also included is a fascinating “Behind the Scenes” section which explores the process of creation from storyboard to screen. Kids will learn about storyboards, turntables, sound design, visual design, and progression reel. They will love getting a glimpse of the process that Pixar uses to create its movies. And, the story is absolutely magical!

Highly recommended – do not miss this extraordinary app!!

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KIDS DISCOVER – Antarctica and Washington D.C.

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antarctica

washington

As a holiday special, Antarctica by KIDS DISCOVER and Washington D.C. by KIDS DISCOVER are FREE for a limited time! KIDS DISCOVER has been creating award-winning content for kids for over 20 years.The digital versions of these books are just as wonderful as their print books. The educational apps feature: interactive 3-D models, HD video & audio, photographs, cartoons, animations, puzzles, and other fun games. Get these interactive versions for your digital library today. 🙂

Antarctica: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/antarctica-by-kids-discover/id593622751?mt=8&uo=4

Washington D.C.: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/washington-d.c.-by-kids-discover/id593620686?mt=8&uo=4

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My Monster Mayhem

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FREE for a limited time – My Monster Mayhem, an interactive e-book for the iPhone/iPad which normally sells for $4.99. It is the story of a little girl and all of the monsters in her house (imagination) that prevent her from doing what her mother asks her to do – turn off lights, not waste dental floss, etc. What her mother doesn’t seem to understand is that she is really a hero!

The storyline is cute and there are animations/interactivity found on almost every page – kids pop bubbles from the bathtub, play tug of war with the Broncus Dentus, etc. Kids also collect hidden monsters on almost every page to unlock puzzles at the end of the story. The “existence” of the monsters is left open for discussion/interpretation – perfect for kids that are a bit older. Thanks for another great story, Digital Leaf!

My Monster Mayhem - Digital Leaf

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Oh, What a Tangle

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tangle

FREE for a limited time – Oh, What a Tangle!, an educational app from Digital Leaf that normally sells for $4.99. It is a fun story told in rhyme about Kiki, a little girl who doesn’t take the time to brush her hair. Why? Because, she always finds something better to do. A knot develops and Kiki allows it to get wildly out of control. It’s such a cute story with animation & interactivity on almost every page. Kids can help paint Kiki’s nails different colors, use a magnifying glass to find the tiny knot in Kiki’s hair, make the birds fly around Kiki’s head, etc. Kids also collect hidden brushes throughout the story to unlock puzzles at the end of the story. The story is rich in vocabulary – great for a lesson on context clues. 🙂

Oh, What a Tangle! - Digital Leaf

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What Will I Be?

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What Will I Be?

FREE again for a limited time – What Will I Be?, a delightful story from Digital Leaf. A father answers his child’s questions about the future in this educational app that encourages children to dream big! Before the story starts, the app permits you to choose the gender of the child. The story is cute and written in rhyme with interactivity throughout – sounds and things to move. Kids are encouraged to find “the dog” hidden in 19 places throughout the story. If they do, a bonus game is unlocked. This app is a perfect example of  what a digital story should be – a great story with interactivity that enhances the overall reading experience. And… as an extra added bonus, the story send a positive message to kids! Don’t miss out on this one – perfect to read in the classroom when talking/writing about careers or the future!

What Will I Be? - Digital Leaf

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Reading Rainbow

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Grandparents – This app would make a  great Christmas present!!

Link to LeVar Burton reading the Night Before Christmas: LeVar Burton Reads “The Night Before Christmas” to YOU! – Reading Rainbow

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

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Nighty Night

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Over 3 million downloads and counting… Nighty Night is FREE for a limited time. This interactive bedtime app for kids 1 – 4 years old is so sweet! The artwork is beautifully done by Heidi Wittlinger, an Oscar nominated artist. The story is perfect for your child’s bedtime ritual. Kids click off the lights around the farm to put 7 sleepy animals to bed – setting the mood for their own bedtime. 🙂 Six additional animals can be added to the story with in-app purchases. The story can be switched from the winter version to the summer version and it can be easily changed to 12 different languages.

This educational app is really lovely and it has been successful internationally – winning the App of the Year 2011 in the “books category” in Germany & the U.S. It also reached #1 in iPad books in the US, Brazil, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, South Africa, Australia Switzerland and Austria!

Nighty Night! HD – Bedtime stories – Story book for children - Shape Minds and Moving Images GmbH

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Prancing Dancing Lily

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Prancing Dancing Lily

FREE for a limited time – Prancing Dancing Lily, an interactive story about a cow who doesn’t quite fit into her herd in Wisconsin. Lily loves to dance so she decides to travel the world looking for a dance that fits her perfectly. She eventually returns home and inspires her herd to dance in a conga line. Lily becomes the next lead bell cow – following in the hoofsteps of her Grandmoo and Mamoo. Very cute story!

Prancing Dancing Lily - Fat Red Couch, Inc.

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The Night Before Christmas

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Night Before

FREE for a limited time – The Night Before Christmas presented by 100 Robots. The Night Before Christmas was written by Cement Clark Moore in 1822 and it has become one of the most popular pieces of Christmas literature. Christmas would not be complete without a reading of this classic. This educational app is beautifully illustrated by Bill Ledger and the animations are enchanting. The quality of the graphics is amazing – kids will be delighted when Santa stuffs himself down the chimney and arrives inside all covered with soot! Check out this delightful rendition of a holiday classic!

Teachers – It would be fun to compare and contrast this contemporary version of the story with a more traditional version. 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/night-before-christmas-presented/id405581736?mt=8&uo=4

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McGraw Hill books: Little Red Hen, Jack & the Beanstalk, Why the Sea is Salty, Country Mouse & City Mouse, Little Red Riding Hood

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FREE again – five interactive readers for your iPad from McGraw Hill. All of these titles usually sell for $1.99. These classic children’s tales can be read in two ways: read aloud or read to myself. All five books are nicely illustrated and have animations/interactivity on each page. Sound effects and music are also included – both of  these features can be turned on or off. The stories are all great but I especially enjoyed the Little Red Hen. Download them today  – there is no reason to pass these up.  🙂


Little Red Hen - Interactive Reader - McGraw-Hill School Education Group  Little Red Hen      Jack and the Beanstalk from McGraw-Hill Education - McGraw-Hill School Education Group  Jack and the Beanstalk     Why the Sea Is Salty - McGraw-Hill School Education Group Why the Sea is Salty

Little Red Riding Hood from McGraw-Hill Education - McGraw-Hill School Education GroupLittle Red Riding Hood    Country Mouse and City Mouse - McGraw-Hill School Education Group Country Mouse/City Mouse