AppWatch: A look at what publishers are launching in the mobile space
The reading levels within the app follow the same structure as the Bookworms Graded Readers, which are Oxford University Press books ranked by level of difficulty, designed for students who are just learning to read. Every level is defined by vocabulary, grammar and overall length. Verissimo Toste, Teacher and Teacher Trainer in Oxford University Press' Professional Development Department, explained why reading at the proper level is so important: "Reading will feel comfortable as students focus on the story and not the language. Comfort and enjoyment will lead students to read more, exposing them to more language, helping them to improve their English."
In addition to assessing their reading level, users can read a free chapter from each of the 30 Oxford Bookworms apps. Each chapter includes illustrations, synchronized audio to listen along and a glossary to look up unfamiliar words. As an added bonus, the app also features monthly promotions in which a "Bookworm of the Month" story is available at a reduced price (for November it's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer").
The app also features videos from experts about the benefits of reading in English, and encourages users to share their progress by posting links to social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
The Beginner's Bible
Produced by: Zondervan
Price: Free with in-app purchase options
Platform: iPad
●No child is too young to start learning the books of the Bible, thanks to The Beginner's Bible App for iPad. Produced by Zonderkidz, one of the most prominent names in early religious education, the app was based on "The Beginner's Bible," which, according to the publisher, is the bestselling storybook Bible of all time, having sold over 6 million copies since its release in 1989.
The app is aimed at children ages 2 to 6 years old and features Bible stories, coloring pages, games and audio, making "The Beginner's Bible" a fun and interactive experience that children can enjoy either with a parent, or all by themselves. According to Helen Schmitt, Senior Director of Marketing at Zondervan, the illustrations have interactive touch screen elements that will keep children engaged, and navigation is simple enough that even preschoolers will have no problem maneuvering through their favorite Bible stories.
