Great Interactive Reading Books for Kids

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.



This fully-animated, interactive version of The Three Little Pigs fairy tale is unlike any printed picture book, or even any storybook app, and will dazzle children aged 3 and up. “It is interactive in unique and fun ways that make the story feel more ‘alive’ than any other ebook I’ve read with my child...it’s a multi-media reading experience you and your kids won’t soon forget.”— Digital Storytime. “This shows the exciting possibilities for story telling in the digital age... Nosy Crow has just raised the bar, the best children’s book app to date.”

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-three-little-pigs-nosy/id418543664?mt=8

AstroJammies $4.99 AU
Follow Jimmy into outer space in an action-packed storybook adventure. Jimmy has magical pajamas that have the power to turn him into an astronaut! What sort of things will he encounter when he flies past Saturn, Earth and Mars? Written and illustrated by Stacey Williams-Ng, the fantastic tale of Jimmy and his magical jammies are brought to life in richly-textured paintings and rhyming verse. Created in an interactive format, this story includes a dreamlike original music score by Steve Dixon, professional narration and amazing special effects.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/astrojammies/id408466505?mt=8

The Penelope Rose HD $7.49 AU
"Every click within this colorful tale unlocks magic and wonders, as its pop-out three-dimensional visuals will mesmerize kids and parents alike." - Apple. The premiere Peek 'n Play book from Mobad Games is a stunning 3D experience that will encourage reading and entertain you with animations and interactivity on every exquisitely crafted page. The Penelope Rose is a magical fairytale of how roses were saved and fairies became the artists of the winged world. Enter a dazzling 3D world that can be experienced without the need for special glasses.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-penelope-rose-hd/id421422482?mt=8

Experience an interactive storybook that is out of this world! Join Cozmo in his adventure across the stars, and enjoy games and activities along the way. From the illustrations and original story, to the sound effects and built in activities, this app is a winner from start to finish Made for the iPad and now compatible with iPhone and iPod devices, this App was one of three finalists for the 2010 DBW Publishing Innovation Awards. It is produced simply and cleanly but filled with movie-quality animation, voice talent and multimedia features.  This retro-futurist app is out of this world in many ways. This is what an e-book for kids should look like!

 http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/cozmos-day-off-childrens-interactive/id409177911

Do you know a child who never seems to sit still? Grab your running shoes and follow a day in the life of Zanny, a little boy who simply CANNOT stop moving! Award-winning writer Pamela Sloane-Bradbury and veteran cartoonist Allison Garwood created these fun, witty, picture books as a way of helping children with limitations understand their behavior better in a positive and engaging way while boosting their self-esteem. "Zanny, Born to Run" is part of the very first book series ever written expressly FOR children with special needs. All kids go crazy for Zanny's antics, but particularly "extra special" kids who love to see themselves in living color. 

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/zanny-born-to-run/id409817073?mt=8

A fully interactive reading experience packed with Games, Movie Clips, Coloring Pages, Sing-along Tunes, and Surprises on every page. Hear the story read aloud, record your own narration, or explore at your own pace. Meet Woody, a cowboy doll that comes to life when humans aren’t around. . Woody’s plan to get rid of Buzz backfires and he ends up lost outside the world of Andy’s room, with Buzz as his only companion! The toys work together to find their way back to Andy and discover the meaning of true friendship along the way.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/toy-story-read-along/id364376920?mt=8

Watch, read, listen, and play as this beloved, classic picture book magically comes to life. Miss Spider is hosting a tea party—but nobuggy will come! What’s an eight-legged lady to do? Find out in this heartwarming tale of a kindly spider’s search for friends. Told in rhyming verse, this enchanting story can also be read as a counting book. With multi-touch animation, painting, puzzles, and games, the Miss Spider’s Tea Party App reinvents the reading experience for the whole family.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/miss-spiders-tea-party-for/id365173247?mt=8

Four adventurous penguins living at the New York Zoo are now on the iPad. As their fearless leader Skipper would say, they’re an elite strike force with top-tier commando skills in world-class clandestine headquarters.This app is packed with books and activities that will delight and entertain kids of all ages, including two Storybooks, a Joke book, and interactive activities such as Create a Scene (digital sticker book), Kaleidoscope (using the Penguins' binoculars), Spot the Difference, Mazes, and Coloring Board with nine coloring pages.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-penguins-madagascar-read/id397489149?mt=8

Monster at the end of the Book $4.49 AU
This Book enhances the classic Sesame Street book with a completely immersive experience that draws children right into the story. Join lovable, furry old Grover as he tries his very hardest to tie down pages and build brick walls— all to keep readers away from the monster at the end of this book. The all-time favorite you loved as a child comes alive for today’s young readers with interactive play, plus touch-point animation. Families can share this giggle-filled story together in a brand-new way that children will ask to read again and again.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-monster-at-end-this-book/id409467802?mt=8

Little Bella’s - I close my eyes FREE
Read along with Little Bella and enjoy music and animated adventures all activated by touch. With beautiful high quality animations and imaginative easy listening music you can read along with Little Bella with the interactive text. Animated shorts include Bella flying through clouds, jumping like a frog and being a slippery, slimy slug as she talks us through the world of her imagination. Perfect for a bedtime story, in the back seat of the car or to avoid hearing the dreaded “I’m bored!”. I Close My Eyes has been created specifically for the iPhone and has been carefully designed so children of all ages can easily navigate it - all by themselves.


http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/little-bellas-i-close-my-eyes/id307214153?mt=8


Tilt your iPad to make Alice grow big as a house, or shrink to just six inches tall. Enjoy Alice in Wonderland digitally remastered for the iPad.Throw tarts at the Queen of Hearts - they realistically bounce off her. Witness the Cheshire Cat disappear, and help the Caterpillar smoke his hookah pipe. This wonderful book includes hundreds of pages and amazing animated scenes. Watch as full screen physics modeling brings illustrations to life.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/alice-for-the-ipad/id354537426?mt=8

Teddy’s Day $4.99 AU
Winner of the 2011 Appy Awards - Book category. One of the most loved kids apps on the market, Teddy's Day unites innovative technology and high quality animation to create an interactive, entertaining and fully immersive children's storybook experience. The app is based on the bestselling print edition, "What Does My Teddy Bear Do All Day?" written by Bruno Hachler, illustrated by Birte Muller and published by Minedition, who co-released the app with Auryn.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/auryn-teddys-day/id400989528?mt=8



Dr Suess Series $4.49 AU