Auracle Storybook Apps

Auracle, by Auryn Inc., revolutionizes story time with interactive apps based on books with a meaningful purpose, while focusing on the message, rather than distractions of interactivity bells and whistles. There are three  storybook apps that I’d love to spotlight by this unique, award-winning digital publisher, Auryn Inc.:

Winter Is by Ann Dixon, Illustrated by Mindy Dwyer

Winter Is, is told through the perspective of a young boy who shares poetic imagery about all the miraculous beauties, adventures, and fun of the season of Winter. The story is professionally narrated by a ten year old boy, which I believe helps draw the attention of young children (at least for my own). I love reading and listening to stories with my daughter that a skilled writer created; I feel there are so many children’s books on our shelf at home that were not as carefully and artistically planned and written like this story.

There are three ways to read Winter Is:

Read to Me: The narrator reads the story aloud, while the words are highlighted as spoken. Your child can then interact with the objects on screen. When an object is tapped, the word is displayed and spoken, helping to develop word association and vocabulary.

Read Myself: You or your child can read the story (no narration), and also interact with objects on the screen. You can also tap on the words of the story to hear it spoken aloud, if your child gets stuck on a word.

Auto-Play: Same as “Read to Me”, but the pages are automatically turned for your child. Great for when you want to keep your little one busy, especially in the car, but can’t be right there to help guide them through the app.

Click here to get Winter Is for the iPad in the appstore for $1.99.

 

Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty by Lisa Dunn-Dern, Illustrated by Andrea Nicole Yomtob

Everyone has talents to share in their jobs and service. Meet Dr. Duncan the Dog, who like his family members, has an important job; he shares a gift of comfort by being a therapy dog for sick children in a hospital. This story spreads awareness of the service of therapy dogs, and its beneficial effects on the healing of those in the hospital. Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty also helps to get your child thinking about what talents they have to share with others. This story is told through the perspective of a young girl, who helps her parents get their dog, Duncan, ready to go to his job at the hospital.

Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty allows for recorded personalization. Record your voice reading through the pages of the story, and have your voice with your child even when you are not. Have your big kid read and record the story, adding their own personal flare to the narration. You can also interact with the objects on the screen, and see the word displayed and spoken.

You can read the story in three different ways (same as Winter Is):

Read to Me: The narrator reads the story aloud, while the words are highlighted as spoken. Your child can then interact with the objects on screen. When an object is tapped, the word is displayed and spoken, helping to develop word association and vocabulary.

Read Myself: You or your child can read the story (no narration), and also interact with the objects on screen. You can also tap on the words in the story to hear it spoken aloud, if your child gets stuck on a word.

Auto-Play: Same as “Read to Me”, but the pages are automatically turned for your child. Great for when you want to keep your little one busy, especially in the car, but can’t be right there to help guide them through the app.

Click here to get Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty for the iPad for $1.99.

 

Little Red Riding Hood

Moms, no one will appreciate the message of this story more than us; the importance of being obedient to your parents. This classic fairy tale is retold in the app Little Red Riding Hood, with interactivity and word association. The narration of Little Red Riding Hood has a classic look and sound, with old fashion words here and there. The music evokes the emotions of the story very well. Like most fairy tales, there is a bit of a dark side to it, so you maybe want to start off with the other two stories mentioned above if you have a toddler that might be sensitive to the death of  the bad wolf.

The story can be read in two ways:

Read to Me: The narrator reads the story aloud, while the words are highlighted as spoken. Your child can then interact with the objects on screen; the objects “bounce” like in a pop-up book.

Read Myself: You or your child can read the story (no narration), and also interact with the objects on screen. You can also tap on the words of the story to hear it spoken aloud, if your child gets stuck on a word.

Click here to get Little Red Riding Hood for the iPad for $1.99.

The storybook apps Winter Is, Dr. Duncan Dog on Duty, and Little Red Riding Hood by Auracle, Auryn Inc., are great additions to have in your virtual library, via my favorite device-the iPad.

Learn more about apps by Auracle, Auryn Inc.