"I Can Do It Too!" picture book for the iPhone

Are digitally enhanced e-books books or games? It depends on the individual application and how faithful the app stays to the original work of the book. Some apps are games that are based on characters from a book, but have nothing to do with the original book or with reading. Reading a story book on a screen is a very different experience from playing a repetitive video game on the same screen. Reading an e-book has the same educational, mind-opening benefits as reading a traditional print book: it increases vocabulary, improves concentration and focus, and expands horizons.

PicPocket Books has a growing list of children’s picture book titles that are very faithful to the original published books that are available on iTunes: full color illustrations, full text, plus and audio track and other options, and you can take it anywhere!

PicPocket Books reviewed by Tech Talk For Moms today:

Looking for a different way to expose your child to reading? Try downloading a PicPocket Books iPhone app. Your child can enjoy books right on your iPhone or iPod touch. Each book is narrated with the words highlighted in a different color as each word is read. The books are attractively illustrated to keep your child’s attention. I downloaded the book, My Friend Isabelle, a book which teaches children about appreciating differences in people. My daughter read the book several times and thought it was great that she was able to read a book right on Mom’s phone! Check out the PicPocketBooks website, to choose from a variety of well written children’s picture books.

Visit her site at Tech Talk for Moms.

Concepts are often hidden. We don’t learn most of what we know via rote memorization, or by being hit over the head with dry “facts.” Much of the time, we learn by experiencing and taking in knowledge in our own time. 

For me and for many, a lot of learning comes with reading. This kind of learning is critical for young children. Reading picture books is so important! An article on one of our new books, “Cucumber Soup,” emphasizes that “Meaningful learning takes place when children experience math and science [and other subjects] in ways that relate to their own day-to-day lives.”

The cute story of various insects that come together to move a big cucumber, subtly instructs. It explores counting, weight, balance, cooperation, and teamwork. With the recipe for “Cucumber Soup” in the back, it also introduces children to cooking in the kitchen (safely – there is no fire involved in this recipe!). Cucumber soup seems like a delicious summer snack to me!