October 15th, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

PicPocket Books teams up with MomsWithApps to offer Free Bookapps for #AppFriday!

Several features set PicPocket Books apart from other picture book apps for the iPhone. We offer a wide range of classic content from established publishers, including previously published “board books,” concept books, easy readers, and fairy tales, and other culturally diverse picture books. The full color illustrations are detailed and clear. The text is easily readable and the books for the youngest set of readers includes a “learn-to-read” feature where the text is highlighted as the words are spoken, encouraging a connection between the written and spoken word for emergent readers.

The PicPocket Books collection includes books which expand horizons with rich, lively illustrations and which are particularly conducive to being read aloud again and again. We work with a variety of publishers and authors and produce books for the iPhone and iPad that have been previously published in print versions. Our goal is to provide children and families with high quality stories that are beautiful, fun to read, and honor diversity.

Enjoy these titles for free on App Friday. Download today; the apps revert back to their regular price after Friday, October 15, 2010! Click on the images below to go straight to the iTunes App Store.

Huggybird and the Dreambox:

Huggybird is a versatile character with a high content hug and a humorous approach. He stands for friendship, hugging, humor and can be a bit mischievious. Huggybird loves himself as he is, but he also likes to dress up to try new roles.

For active and adventurous boys and girls there is a Super Huggybird with some serious super powers. Knight Huggybird or a Pirate Huggybird can lead the way to imaginative adventures. For kids who like some fancy flair, this app also introduces Princess Huggybird, a very sweet bird. She is a true princess with her beautiful pink dress and her diamond crown.

The different characters allow both children and adults to identify with Huggybird. Let them spark creative play for dress up, storytelling, or “let’s pretend!”

Mico: the Mouse Who Was Afraid of the Dark:

Mico is a little mouse with a big fear.

A special friend helps him make discoveries that open up a whole new world for him!

Mico’s story encourages kids to take new steps that lead to positive experiences.

A nice story for little readers, especially ones who have ever been afraid of the dark.

My Friend Isabelle: October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

My Friend Isabelle
is a charming story about two young friends, told with simplicity and grace.

Charlie and Isabelle are the same age and share a love of drawing, dancing, playing at the park and snacks! Like most friends, they are also different.

This book offers an opportunity for a discussion about tolerance, acceptance and friendship by showing that “differences are what makes the world so great.”

Best Friends Sleep Over:

Best Friends Sleepover: Gilbert’s friends help him get through his first night away from home in Jacqueline Rogers’ humorous and heartwarming story about friendship. And her richly detailed watercolor paintings perfectly capture the spirit of four rambunctious little boys, who just happen to look like animals. Narration and original ukulele music by the author. Originally published by Scholastic Books.

October 3rd, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

The e-Book May Bring Kids Back to Literature

A Reuters article from September 30, 2010 points out that as kids spend more and more time using cell phones and other mobile technology, the time that they spend reading for pleasure decreases.

The article reports results from a study conducted by the Scholastic and Harrison Group with the following findings:

1. 40% of parents think that time spent online and using mobile digital devices would reduce time for books and for engagement in physical activities.
2. 33% of parents are concerned that technology would detract from time spent with family
3. 33% of children said that they would read more books for pleasure if e-books were more available to them.
4. 66% of children claimed that they would still read print books even with greater e-book availability.

Francie Alexander, the chief academic officer of Scholastic, believes that e-books can have an important educational role. She explains, “If we can meet kids where they are and get a third of all kids, many of them struggling readers, to spend more time reading for fun on e-books, that additional time spent building fluency and vocabulary will not only help them become more proficient at reading, but will help prepare them to tackle more complex texts that they will encounter in high school and college.”

Ms. Alexander’s statement really resonates with my belief: if having kids’ books available on your iPhone means more exposure to stories and enthusiasm for reading for kids, then we consider that a success!

September 7th, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

There’s no App for that

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?

June 16th, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

Wordless Wednesday

The new Huggybird app from Viva la Media via PicPocket Books will be available in English, Dutch and Spanish.