Book apps!

Apologies for the lack of news updates... i have been streaming updates on twitter recently and will be using this page to discuss news further.

One thing I would like to mention is the increasing use of apps for books these days. I discovered just recently that childrens picture book apps are on the rise, particularly seen with Penguin and now Hodder Children's Books.

The great thing about apps for children is that it allows them to engage with the book, have the book read to them and interact with the animations. I am very fond of the me books app that uses this well. Penguin has worked with them to create amazing apps that even allows a child to select a character and record their own message attached to it, therefore when they click on it, they hear their own voice. It allows them to use their imagination while reading a story. It really is amazing. It is just like those birthday cards you get where your friend records a message for you... it has the surprise factor.

Hodder Children's Books has also come out with an app for Hugless Douglas which also has games.
The publishing houses are definately in touch with the app market, but one thing my mother brings up is how many children have an ipad? Definately something to think about... their parents do... but who knows, maybe soon enough there will be enough ipads to go around. I don't have one simply because I don't find the need for it, but there is a market and the app also allows children to read along, which in the long term could teach them how to read, speak and develop much faster.