JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, CINDERELLA, and THE THREE LITTLE PIGS are just three of the amazing, interactive storybook apps available from publisher Nosy Crow.Each of these award-winning apps contains an age-appropriate version of the classic children’s story along with visually stunning illustrations. Text-highlighting supports emerging readers.
The animation, music, and interactive elements contribute to understanding of the story rather than distracting from the plot. The open-reading environment incorporates a game where readers work their way through onscreen tasks such as collecting treasure as they read the non-linear narrative. This approach is particularly effective with reluctant readers.
Look for others in this series coming soon. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES is currently under development.
To explore the apps, go to http://nosycrow.com/apps/.
The DK READERS app is aimed at getting children excited about reading. Users can browse through a library of ebooks by reading level. The app is free to download and a few books are free, but over 100 books are available for purchase at $1.99 to $2.99 each.
Designed for children aged 6-8, dozens of leveled books are available on a wide range of topics including the popular Star Wars and LEGO books. Like the print versions of the DK books, the works are identified by one of 5 levels from learning to read to proficient readers. Individual accounts can be set up for different children with specific reading needs. eBooks show up on virtual shelves by reading level.
The eBooks look identical to their print counterparts. Readers swipe to turn the pages forward or backward. One advantage of the DK READERS eBooks for beginning readers is the read-aloud audio option. Users click the words to begin reading. The word being read aloud turns red making it easy for children to follow along. Readers can click pages in the index to access particular pages. Pages can also be accessed through thumbnail images.
Parents often need help selecting books at the right level for their children. This app makes it easy by organizing offerings by reading level. The large catalog of option provides many choices. Finally, the eBooks are much less expensive than paperbacks making it a cost effective choice for parents.
An increasing number of school libraries are offering tablets for student use in the library or classroom. Although each app is stand-alone, the option of organizing books on virtual shelves by level for specific users may be useful for students with special needs or classrooms dividing children into reading groups.
Available for iPad at the App Store at http://goo.gl/ORxUsr
Available for Android on Google Play at http://goo.gl/WTwHQc
STARFALL has been a popular educational website for more than a decade. Focusing on fun reading, math, and music experiences for preschool through primary grades, the website contains dozens of free activities and e-books that can be used on desktop, laptop, and tablet computers. Beyond the free website, hundreds of other wonderful interactives are available at a membership rate. Prices are available for teachers, labs, and schools. Additional print curriculum materials are also available.
Recently, STARFALL has created an App-based (Apple, Google, KindleFire) experience for youth. The app environment contains no ads and no in-app-sales for members. In addition, individual titles are available for a small fee rather than paying the membership price for the whole collection. Unfortunately, very few of the app-based resources are available for free.
In addition to their use in classrooms, these materials are also effective for special needs students and those needing extra help with reading. Consider how these tools might be integrated into the computers and tablets available in the library.
To learn more, go to http://www.starfall.com/.
PROFESSOR GARFIELD is a free website containing interactives that allow students to explore, create, read, and play. The READ! section includes a wonderful selection of e-comics such as theaward winning THE BIG NO-NO!, the 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner. These e-books are available in five languages. The Storyline Online section contains dozens of videos featured celebrities reading favorite picture books aloud.
The CREATE! section provides a variety of online tools children can use to create their own comics.
Of particular interest to teacher librarians are the many interactives in the EXPLORE! section focusing on topics related Cyberbullying, Forms of Media, Fact or Opinion, and Online Safety. Many of these lessons are also available at the iTunes App Store as apps.
To learn more, go to PROFESSOR GARFIELD at http://www.professorgarfield.org/
