The Austin American Statesman, in an article called “Storybook apps for kids a major topic among children's book writers and artists” noted:
In 2003, writer and Austinite Lindsey Lane and illustrator Melissa Iwai published an adorable children's book called "Snuggle Mountain."Deanna Roy, an Austin author and publisher at Casey Shay Press said:
This year, the story had a digital comeback. It was released as an app for the iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch devices in May.
Authors and developers can no longer settle for a book with a painting or puzzle game at the end. They have to be brilliant, interactive and bold….This is not all that surprising to me. What do you think? Are apps for kids’ e-books the next big step in children’s publishing? How long before all children’s e-books will have apps?
True apps offer interactivity and delightful unexpected features a paper book could never include. Otherwise, you just have a screen version of a paper book.
It's not surprising to me either. I'm torn, though, on apps, or even interactive ebooks for kids. While I think they are great entertainment, and may encourage kids to read, they also have the potential to "ruin" reading by making the words and story secondary.
ReplyDeleteI think it's inevitable. And if it encourages children to read... why not?
ReplyDeleteI'm not even sure what apps are...
ReplyDeleteI remember when my kids were young they came out with cassette players in kid-proof cases. I'm sure the 'tough-stuff' Kindles aren't far behind.
I think we all tend to have reservations when something new comes on-scene. And while we're vacillating, that "new" thing becomes old hat and something newer is marching onto the stage. I'm not surprised that children's books are becoming more interactive. Not sure I embrace it whole-heartedly, but am more sure that I can't stop it.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to figure out what 'apps' were ... but, then, I'm always a little slow on the uptake ... anyway, I think you hit it with your response comment, Helen ... ain't no stopping it, so, I guess we just gotta roll with it.
ReplyDeleteApps are all over the place now. I used to think that I was pretty competent on computer stuff, doing number crunching on super computers and stuff like that, but I've never grasped this app thing >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Yes. Apps are here to stay. Long as the internet and our current civilization stays intact.
ReplyDeleteI think so. Heck, make them for adults as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get my son, who works at a gaming company to make an app and sell it. He actually has an idea for one. I don't know that I would want an app in a book I'm reading. Although... I'm not saying I wouldn't want one. There's probably some nifty app that could be put in that would work well with the book and capture my attention. But I wouldn't want it to take me so far from the book that I never come back to finish the story.
ReplyDelete