Sometimes authors, publishers, or parents whose kids use PicPocket Book Apps ask me if I think that book apps will eventually replace print books. I always answer no, that book apps are supplements, not replacements for traditional books and the valuable time parents can spend reading with their children. Plus, how do you build a Lego battle station on your bed with apps?
What is a bookapp? With the advent of new digital technologies, publishers, authors and readers are revisiting the definition of a book. Does a book have to have a cover and paper pages? Is it the physical format, the content, or the way the material is read that makes a book a book?
A “bookapp” is a term that we have coined within the MomsWithApps group to describe a book that is downloaded as an app (from iTunes) and displayed to be read on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Some bookapps have animations and other interactive features. Most have audio recordings. Over at MomsWithApps we have used the term “bookapp” to distinguish apps that are books (storybooks, picture books) from apps that are games on the iPhone. We have been spreading the use of the term within the group and beyond the group through Twitter and conversations with the Media.
photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post
With the growing popularity of iPhones, the iPod touch and the now extremely popular iPad, publishers and app developers are recognizing the advantages of publishing books on the iPhone platform. These bookapps can take a variety of different forms and sport different features. They may be previously published books (that is, you can also buy them in print versions), or the books may be specifically made for the iPhone. The large majority of PicPocket Books’ titles are previously published books: they are also available in traditional print form. Most of our bookapps have audio recordings, animations, interactive features and personal settings. Bookapps are available in digital form through the iTunes App Store from PicPocket Books and also other bookapp publishers like Lyn and Line LLC, Touchoo, Winged Chariot, Watsomaflip, Out To Play, and others. With the digital platform, publishers are able to take advantage of a number of additional dimensions that are just not possible in a print book. Because the digital interactivity is new and different it does draw some criticism and skepticism from some traditional publishers and educators, but others are definitely embracing the new possibilities.
We’re entering into a new interactive art form,” says Rick Richter, formerly the president of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and now a digital media consultant. Freed from rules about page count and paper weight, digital creators enjoy great flexibility. In the process, they can appeal to nonbookworms, such as computer and game geeks. “If anything, it will lead a lot of kids to books,” says Richter.
"I Can Do It Too!" originally published by Chonicle Books. Bookapp published by PicPocket Books.
I predict that the future will bring a much greater acceptance and familiarity of bookapps. After all, reading is so much fun, and if having bookapps available on your iPhone means more exposure to stories and enthusiasm for reading, especially for kids, then we consider that a success!
Huffington Post: iPhone Apps by Moms, for Moms
Never underestimate a mom with an iPhone. While most mobile developers are men, a growing number of opportunistic women are venturing into app development to create apps catered to other women. And many of these women are part of a group called Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers who share best practices on making and marketing mobile apps.
A cute family of bears on a road trip across America brings Irving Berlin’s classic song, God Bless America, to life. Reading level ages 4-8.
America The Beautiful, by Katharine Lee Bates
This book also uses the lyrical of a classic song, America the Beautiful, to give a new and unique interpretations of the well-known song. There are wonderful and moving images of the Statue of Liberty, Pike’s Peak, immigrants, the Apollo II, the firemen of Sept. 11th, and the WWII Tuskegee Airmen. Ages 4-8
Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong
Apple Pie 4th of July explores a girl’s experience as a first-generation Chinese-American as she watches the parade preparations from her parents’ Chinese restaurant. In vain she tries to tell them that no one wants Chinese food on the 4th of July, but evening does bring a steady flow of customers, and concludes with fireworks and sharing American apple pie with the neighbors. Ages 4-8
Fourth of July Mice by by Bethany Roberts
This rhyming book with its clever and humorous illustrations is perfect for little patriots. Join in with the fun as the mice celebrate the 4th of July with a parade, a picnic, a baseball game, and of course, fireworks. Ages 4-8
Cordoroy's Fourth of July, by Don Freeman
Cordory, the beloved storybook bear is here to celebrate Independence Day! The colorful board-book illustrations are great for the youngest readers. Ages Baby- Preschool
My 10-year-old son's reading material for the week. Gotta love the public library.
One of my heroes, a champion of childhood in general and picture books in particular, celebrates his birthday on Friday, June 25. Eric Carle started his illustration career in the 1950s with a position as a graphic designer in the promotion department of the New York Times. One of his ads caught the eye of author Bill Martin, Jr., and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. Many beloved classics followed, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
From Head to Toe, by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Eric Carle
The Official Eric Carle website describes his illustrations as “distinctive and instantly recognizable. His art work is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many of his books have an added dimension—die-cut pages, twinkling lights as in The Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a cricket’s song as in The Very Quiet Cricket – giving them a playful quality: a toy that can be read, a book that can be touched. Children also enjoy working in collage and many send him pictures they have made themselves, inspired by his illustrations. He receives hundreds of letters each week from his young admirers.”
Not only is Carle’s artwork playful, fun and inspiring, but the man himself has a beautiful message. If you’ve ever read one of Eric Carle’s books, or even if you haven’t, it is worthwhile to watch this video in which he discusses the origin of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and describes his love of color.
Thanks, Eric Carle, for your books that have entertained kids for generations!
Eric Carle
Oh, and if you are traveling to or through Massachusetts this summer, you may want to consider a visit to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA.
The new Huggybird app from Viva la Media via PicPocket Books will be available in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Daily reading time together with your kids is a great way to boost their reading skills and build the foundation for a life-long love of reading. Stories at bedtime are often the most obvious times to get that precious reading time with your child. How nice it is to cozy up on the sofa, or in bed, and share a story!
Books aren’t the only vehicles for practicing reading skills. Board games and card games are another favorite way of mine when it comes to getting some reading practice in. Have you tried games like Apples to Apples,
A card and party game that's especially designed for beginning readers.
Clue or Pictionary with your kids? All of those games come with “Junior” versions especially designed for the younger set. Out of the Box games has a great selection of fun and educational games, including a lot of party games. In Letter Roll, players race to list words containing the three letters shown on the dice.
Letter Roll, published by Out Of The Box Games
Do you have any favorite family games that are both fun and educational? I’d love to hear about them!
In the garden with Breezy Bunnies
Flowers blooming, baby animals, sunny weather, and some showers. Spring is here, and as always, we like to celebrate with a picture book. Margie Blumberg’s Breezy Bunnies, the first of a seasonal series, is the newest release from PicPocket Books. This endearing rhyming tale is a delight from start to finish.
The iPhone book is filled with audio surprises. Make sure to touch the squirrels in the tree, the pigeons under the bench in the rain, and the cuckoo clock on the wall. How many interactive spots can you discover?
Listen to the cuckoo clock chime in the app!
Download the Breezy Bunnies application from iTunes and enjoy it this Spring.
In our household, author/illustrator Tomie de Paola is a favorite with parents and kids alike. Tomie de Paola is half Italian (his Dad’s side of the family) and half Irish (his Mom’s side of the family). My kids often choose de Paola’s Italian folklore Strega Nona stories at bedtime, but this time of the year we tend reach for some of his Irish stories like JAMIE O’ROURKE AND THE BIG POTATO, and my favorite, FIN M’COUL, THE GIANT OF KNOCKMANY HILL.
A story to read again and again...
Tomie de Paola says that growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was a really big deal, with a special meal (corned beef and cabbage) and “theatricals.” This year, he says, “on March 17th, I’ll be wearing my green underwear and socks and I’ll start the day with a hot cup of Irish Breakfast tea. I’ll raise my cup to honor my Irish relatives and shout “Erin Go Bragh!”
How will you celebrate St. Paddy’s Day?
