Can't see the whole video?  Click here: http://www.joeyfortman.com/fun-finds/2010/6/18/mobistories-mom-review.html

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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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…

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. 

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

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

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

“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

Return to the Store

A Is for App: How Smartphones, Handheld Computers Sparked an Educational Revolution

By: Anya Kamenetz

Get your Deal of the Week here  

Coming soon to an iPhone, iPod, iPad, or computer near you! The Marvelous Toy