Do ipad book apps count as books? Some bibliophiles argue that they don't, insisting that book apps are more game than book.
 But, I disagree. I think it's great that kids can access books in this new way. Sure, there are interactive game-like elements, but in a quality app, these don't have to be distracting and can add meaning to the reading experience.
This year, I'm a Round 1 judge for the Cybils in the book app category and in this role have read even more ipad apps - around forty. Predictably, the book apps varied between poor and excellent. But, what makes a great book app anyway? Here's what I'm thinking makes a good book app - but this could change. What do you think makes a good book app?
A good book app needs to have:
- an interesting story
- compelling, kid-friendly illustrations
- appropriate text to picture ratio (not too much text - bluck! - not okay for kids)
- easy navigation: pages which are easy to turn, way to return home, way to skip pages
- choices of read to self and read to me
- clickable elements that relate to the story and aren't just for fluff
2011 Favorite Book Apps>>>
Blog excerpt from Imagination Soup, a blog by Melissa Taylor recently awarded the Scholastic Best Book and Reading Blog Award.
|
Find us on Facebook
|
Twitter
|
RSS
