Author Archive for MobiStories
Kids – The most honest reviewers
How adorable is this little 2 year old? And when do you think his mom will get her iPhone back..?? LOL Take a peek at how the littlist "i-" users can't get enough of The Marvelous Toy. I love it when mom, Joey Fortman, shows the iPhone screen to the camera, and he weasels around so he can still watch his MobiStory app…. 
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Can't see the whole video? Click here: http://www.joeyfortman.com/fun-finds/2010/6/18/mobistories-mom-review.html
The Marvelous Toy App is a hit!
Our newest, most interactive iPhone bookapp to date was recently launched. Here's what folks are saying about :
Mike from Crazy Mike's Apps gives it 4 crazy heads saying, "For kids, this is an awesome app! It's an interactive musical book for kids – very cool. MobiStories has a bunch of cool books out there, and it's reasonably priced. Very interactive for the kids; cool story; cool singing – Enjoy!"
Sheila Ruth of Wands and Worlds Book Reviews says: "The art is lovely, and of course the song, sung by Tom Paxton himself, is wonderful. Playing with the different toys is fun and I think overall kids will enjoy this app."
And Beth from Rolemommy writes: "Your kids will be mesmerized as they touch the screen and the images are literally brought to life in front of their eyes."
Here are some of the comments our customers have shared:
"This book was fantastic!! I would definitely recommend this for anyone with small kids." ~ SandyB
"My son loves this book and will enjoy this animation. It’s such a cute story. He’s 3 and can sing almost the whole book – it’s a lot of fun and beautifully done." ~ Shana Fields
"My son loves this!" ~ Tarroyo
Have you tried it yet?
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Picture Page to Digital Book?
We at MobiStories have been creating children’s picture books digitally for a few years now, first exclusively as computer downloads and lately as both downloads for home computers and as apps for iPhones/iPads. With the glut of app development lately, especially upon the release of the iPad, much has been made of late regarding the question: “What exactly is an app?”
We had a very busy month in May, attending several key conferences on app development as well as child development/educational symposiums. App Camp, presented by Warren Buckleitner and Dust or Magic, explored all areas of app development, from educational apps, to books, to games. Sandbox Summit, held at MIT by the folks from Parents’ Choice Awards, looked at how children learn through play and through doing. Engagement was clearly the key topic at this conference. We also exhibited at the nation’s largest publishing tradeshow, Book Expo America (BEA) in New York last week. Seeing the publishing industry finally embracing digital books was inspiring. But at all events the same question was raised:
“If a book is on a screen, is it still a book?”
We’ve always known that reading/hearing/watching a digital book is a different experience than reading a traditional book, or having one read to you. When you cuddle up with a child to read them a story, you’re creating a sensory experience very different from what digital books can provide. The closeness and bonding, the “what if” questions, the imagination the child uses are unique to handling a book, turning the paper pages and the memories associated with the book being read. However, digital books allow exploration of the story and can provide educational elements one can’t get from a paper book. When reading to a child, the text doesn’t highlight so the child can follow along, even if too young to read on his/her own. When a child touches an illustration in a picture book, the picture doesn’t come to life as in an interactive book. Music can’t be heard playing in the background as the story is being read aloud, though good readers will create sound effects as they read aloud. The two scenarios offer completely different experiences.
So should they be considered the same thing? Is a book always a book? Is there another term that should be used for books that have evolved in the digital realm? Does interactivity always need to be associated with or mean “game”? Does the interactivity enhance the story, giving it a different value than its traditional counterpart? Or do you think it detracts, merely turning a story into a game? There are many opinions on the subject, and as digital books and apps are developing so quickly, it’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts and to see what the outcome is.
Share your thoughts and comments please…
Digital kids’ books storming BEA
We're off, heading to NYC for the nation's largest collective on publishing,Book Expo America. It's funny, in a way…the first time we wandered the many aisles of the Javits Center, the MobiStories team felt somewhat alone. There were plenty of books, publishers, distributors, but nary a digital book to be found. In fact, there were select moments of actual scoffing when we attended several years ago…looks that told what the stodgy old publishers didn't dare say aloud, "Digital books for children? No paper, no cover, no spine?? You're crazy! No one would ever conceive of purchasing such a thing for kids!"
Well, the times they aren't a-changing; they have a-changed. Eh, we knew they'd come around. Last year was the year of 'digital' it seemed - every publisher trying to figure out what it meant, how to implement it. This year should be interesting. Several players are comitted to publishing digitally, some still waiting to see how it plays out. Can't wait to hear their thoughts on what children's books can become, no longer just a one-dimensional book but so much more, like The Marvelous Toy…..the sky's the limit.
Apps for Kids: it takes a village
We're about the kids. The books we choose to develop into digital books and apps are picked on criteria such as "Will this delight and entertain kids" or "Will the children feel engaged and want more?" The MobiStories creative team is always searching for innovative ways to educate, entertain and exercise the brain of kids as they grow up using technology. We're also always trying to keep current and get feedback from kids and parents to know what it is they're looking for in digital books.
Having recently returned from Dust or Magic's App Camp in Monterey, CA, we immediately began implementing all we learned from the fellow developers, child education and technology experts into our future projects and even in the updates of our existing books. And now, we're thrilled to be able to hear from a room full of knowledgeable moms. Oh, sure, it could be said that if you're a mom, you've got some sort of knowledge going on. But I'm talking about moms who are knowledgeable in the digital space as well as general kidhood stuff.
We're a sponsor of Silicon Valley Moms Group's NYC Moms special event at Tribeca Cinemas in New York City on May 16th. We'll be premiering our newest book, The Marvelous Toy, a game changer in the realm of digital books and book apps for iPhone and iPad. This app is not only a book, but a song. Tom Paxton's legendary folk song about a boy and a magical toy was published as a book and now comes to life and jumps off the page to the screen.
We can't wait to see how these tech savvy moms react as the toy comes alive, bringing other toys and characters to life as well with the touch of a finger or the click of the mouse. Available in both iphone app and computer download just like all MobiStories, we're looking to find out how kids enjoy The Marvelous Toy, how they use it, and what their parents think. We know it takes more than one set of eyes, or one single train of thought to address the needs of children. We're looking to the experts for expert advice on how to continue to bring the best quality digital books to families. Who are the experts? The parents, and the kids themselves. Got a MobiStory and want your voice heard? Drop us a line. Don't have any MobiStories yet? What are ya waiting for? www.MobiStories.com
Little Blue Penguin
Here’s a short preview to show what you can do with this Interactive MobiStory.Actual book will fill your screen.
Download to your computer or iPhone/iPad
Our Price $3.99 |
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Get the app |
Little Blue Penguin’s emotions shine colorfully when a journey from the toy store takes him to a new home and into a playmate’s arms. What color will Little Blue Penguin shine now? Kids control the pace of the interactive version of this MobiStories edition of Little Blue Penguin by clicking on the Next page (or Back a page) arrows. Click all over the place to see what happens: the elephant’s trunk squirts, balls roll, the penguin slides down the ranbow! Listen and read in a choice of languages, or mix and match text and narration to learn something new!
Do you think Little Blue Penguins really exist? Well they do! And this is a beautifully written and illustrated story about the smallest of the penguin species. For more information about the ‘Little Blues’, please visit: www.antarcticconnection.com
Achieved finalist status in The Word Guild’s, 2008 Canadian Christian Writing Awards.
“Children 2 to 5 will learn their colors…”
Ages 4 to 8 years
Author: Patricia L. Atchison
Illustrator: Jo-Anne Jagers
Narrator English: Emma Zimmerman, Spanish: Briana Brems,
Chinese: Torin Li
Music: Christopher Kennedy
Illustration Enhancements: Rick Toone
Publisher: Wood Lily Publishers
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“Little Blue Penguin is a children’s picturebook featuring simple illustrations that reinforce the primary colors introduced in the joyful story about a stuffed penguin much loved by its little girl owner. A charming and delightful picturebook especially recommended for young penguin lovers.”
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
Created by parents with advice from educators, literacy experts and childhood development specialists, this MobiStories e-book is perfect for early and independent readers.
Features
Within this MobiStories e-book, you are able to:
- Listen to the narration in English, Spanish, or Chinese
- Read the accompanying text in English or Spanish.
- Mix and match the text and narration languages: read Spanish while listening to English or Chinese!
- Engage in the story by clicking on the colorful images and bringing them to life.
- Allow children to practice their memory and color-matching skills with comprehension questions at the end of the story.
Our Price $3.99
Are Apps Creating an Educational Revolution?
Certainly the kind of thing we have been talking about, and witnessing, as we develop and test our own MobiStories apps, along with their matching download versions for computers…not to mention seeing our own kids' schools integrating iPod carts into curriculum. Check out Fast Company's recent article about smartphones and handheld computers changing the face of education:
A Is for App: How Smartphones, Handheld Computers Sparked an Educational Revolution
By: Anya Kamenetz
iPhone Apps Deals of the Week
The fantastic group of family-oriented app developers, Moms With Apps, (of which we are associated) has launched a new weekly feature: Deals of the Week. Each week 5 kid, parent, or family oriented apps will be featured ON SALE for a mere $.99! Some of these mobile apps are regularly priced as high as $4.99, so this is quite a savings. Run, don't walk, 'cuz these apps are only on sale from Tuesday to Tuesday (but go back weekly to see what new apps are featured each Tuesday).
Get your Deal of the Week here
iPhone & iPad App Developers Unite
As kid-friendly and family-friendly apps are becoming more sought after, and not always easy to search for or find easily in the AppStore, developers are working together to bring quality apps to families. MobiStories is proud to be a part of MomsWithApps. Here's a peek at what this innovative group of kid-app developers are doing to create quality education- and entertainment-based apps for children. After watching the video, go to MomsWithApps and see what apps might interest your children…
Kids’ Books for iPads
Think you've seen it all in children's ebooks? Nothing left for app developers to do to make book apps appealing? What kinds of things will the new iPad offer for kids? Or are you just wondering if there's an app, or a digital book, out there that would hold your child's interest? Here's to the future of children's books:
Coming soon to an iPhone, iPod, iPad, or computer near you! The Marvelous Toy
The Marvelous Toy
Here’s a short preview to show what you can do with this Interactive MobiStory.
Actual book will fill your screen.
Download to your computer or iPhone/iPad
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Our price 3.99 |
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An amazing interactive kids digital picture book! This timeless tale, based on legendary singer/songwriter Tom Paxton’s classic song, is about a mysterious, magical toy given by a father to his son, one that eventually gets passed down to his son’s son. The story celebrates a child’s sense of wonder. The witty, evocative lyrics spark your imagination: “It went Zip! when it moved, Bop! when it stopped, and Whirr! when it stood still!” The incredible and wildly imaginative illustrations lift the story to a whole new level. And now, MobiStories literally bring the song and almost everything on the page to life with a simple touch of your finger! The toy shines, spins and makes funny noises, UFOs fly around, trucks move back and forth, characters speak! Even the song has been given a light-hearted 21st century makeover!
Listen to, sing along and read the lyrics on each page, then play as long as you want finding the magic hidden within the pictures while enjoying the instrumental version of the song. When you’re done, swipe to zip to the next page! Makes a great digital childrens book gift for Christmas, holiday or birthday!
The Marvelous Toy
Ages 4 to 8 years
Written, sung and played by: Tom Paxton
Illustrated by: Steve Cox
Additional musical arrangements by: Christopher Kennedy
Illustration enhancements by: Rick Toone
Publisher: Imagine Publishing, Inc.
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This interactive flash file will play on any computer!
Created by parents with advice from educators, literacy experts and childhood development specialists, this MobiStories e-book is perfect for early and independent readers.
Features
Within this MobiStories e-book, you are able to:
- Sing along with Tom on each page, then sing by yourself with the instrumental version!
- Click all over the illustrations to see what happens!
- Swipe to go forwards or backwards
- Count how many touch activated animations you find throughout the book then e-mail us your answer to win a free MobiStories download if you get it right!
$3.99 Special Price
iPods in the Classroom
At the beginning of the school year my middle schooler marched off the bus and happily announced his school received an "iPod cart." A what?, I asked. A mobile cart of about 15 iPods to be used in science classes. My response to that: AWESOME! Easy for me to say, of course….I'm an app developer. The thought that these handheld devices are being utilized for individualized instruction in schools is great. And we're not the only ones who think so. Just read what Education Week posted this week about it:
Educators Embrace iPods for Learning
The iGeneration
A recent USA Today article discussed the identification, or labeling (or both?) of the "next" generation. You know – BabyBoomers, GenX, GenY/Millenial kids. Old news. Dubbed the "iGeneration," this latest youth group is wired; some may argue they come hardwired.
Experts in the child digital media space call these kids digital natives and much has been made about the effect their early adoption of technology has on them. Well, according to Charlotte, N.C. child and adolescent psychologist Dave Verhaagen, "It's simply a part of their DNA. It shapes everything about them." They want to be constantly connected. They expect to be available to peers socially at any time – and are. (I can attest to this one, as my 12 year old's phone pings with texts as late as midnight on weekends! Don't worry – he's not allowed to answer at that hour….wish his friends' parents had the same set of rules.) They also have expectations of virtually limitless choices as music, tv viewing, etc. are available and customizable at their fingertips. In fact, Larry Rosen, Cal. State University-Dominguez Hills psychologist is the one who came up with the "iGeneration" moniker not in reference to game-changer iTunes/iPhone/iPad (ok, all things "i") - although how can one not see the inference - but more to reference the individualization today's youngsters accept as the norm.
Here are some of the traits Rosen uses to identify iGen-ers:
• Early introduction to technology.
• Adeptness at multitasking. (Yes, while many worry digital distraction fosters lack of focus, research findings are now suggesting the contrary.)
• Desire for immediacy.
• Ability to use technology to create a vast array of "content."
But perhaps the most interesting issue is how all this impacts education. Researchers agree that there need to be drastic changes made to the educational system. "The growth curve on the use of technology with children is exponential, and we run the risk of being out of step with this generation as far as how they learn and how they think," Rosen says. "We have to give them options because they want their world individualized." The big question is: how is that best achieved? Read the whole article here .
Celebrating Michelle Obama
Here’s a short preview to show what you can do with this Interactive MobiStory.
Actual book will fill your screen.
Download to your computer or iPhone/iPad
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Our Price $3.99 |
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Get the app |
Interact with photos of Michelle Obama and her family from childhood to First Lady, at play and at major events, while discovering many ‘Fun Facts’ about her. This MobiStories app style book is based on the printed book of the same name.
With this amazing new Interactive MobiStory, you can view photos of Michelle Obama while following the informative scrolling text, and listening to the narration and sound track. You will also discover many amusing things about
our historic First Lady by clicking on ‘Fun Facts.’ It’s easy to navigate to your favorite pages by using the handy Table of Contents.
This MobiStory can be enjoyed in any combination of English, Spanish and Chinese text and narration. Have fun: mix and match. Learn something new!
Celebrating Michelle Obama
Ages 6 to 10 years
Author: Jane Katirgis
English Narrator: Sanyika Calloway Boyce, international speaker, top selling author
Additional Narrators: Feng Wang, Torin Li, Blanca Llamas, Marianna Llamas, and Emma Zimmerman
Sound: Maple Hill Productions
Publisher:
This interactive flash file will play on any computer!
Our Price $3.99
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