gurgle.com meets James Huggins, creator of Ladybird Classic Me Book Apps
How does Me Books work and what makes it different from other storybook apps?
James: We set ourselves the challenge of creating a reader app that introduced playful interactive features but ultimately preserved the pure book experience. With so many picture book apps out there using animation and game mechanics we wanted the technology to support reading and storytelling. The main difference between Me Books and other storybook apps is that the ability to add your own narrative is completely flexible. You decide where the sound will go by drawing with your finger. It's not 'attached' to the words and illustrations as such and so whilst delightfully simple it provides endless creative possibilities. You can tell the story your way, make up a new one, or just stay on the same page taking turns impersonating goats and trolls!??
Does it have educational or developmental benefits for the child using it or is it just for fun? Does it stop children from wanting to read real books?
James: I think most people see the record feature as a bit if fun. Don't get me wrong, it's hilarious, but it does have another important function. One of the many challenges teaching children to read is finding exciting ways for them to engage with it. The ability to hear themselves not just reading the story but then adapting it and adding their own personal context is incredibly powerful. I don't think children see the same distinct difference between physical and digital books in the same way we do. If anything, rather than stopping children from reading physical books it will encourage them to use them more by showing them in a fascinating new light.??
What lead you to create Me Books and why did you choose Ladybird to work with?
James: The creation of Me Books was one of those beautiful accidents. We were actually exploring some ideas for creating a story-like experience on the iPad for The Land of Me, (an interactive picture book world of creativity and learning). At some point in the conversation it dawned on us that the ability to create and record your own interactive audio hotspots could be applied to any picture book and not just those we might create. The more we thought about it the more we fell in love with the idea that the app could present you with your favourite books in all their glory but allow you to create (and very soon, save) your own versions of them.When we thought about possible collections to launch the idea, we knew it had to be something classic and something iconic. For us Ladybird is the strongest brand when it comes to young children. Already publishing The Land of Me we asked our friends at Ladybird if they thought a Me Books collection of classic Ladybird books was possible. Luckily they liked the idea and that was that. The app has been such a success that we're currently working on expanding the range of available titles as well as launching new collections later this year.
What was your favourite Ladybird book when you were little? And your children's now?
James: Oh man. When I was little it was probably Little Red Riding Hood. It's the same with most childhood memories of picture books; it's more the illustrations that stay with you. I maintain that the old Ladybird classics are some of the most consistently beautiful picture books ever made. With my kids now we read both the real versions handed down by our parents as well as from the Me Books collection. Right now the favourite is easily Puss in Boots. I'm reading that at least once a week at the moment. I think I have my ogre performance pretty much down now.
Its very exciting that some celebrities narrated the stories for the app, how did they react when you approached them and asked them to do this?
James: The voice recording has been such a brilliant part of the project. The Ladybird books are such a huge part of our collective childhood in the UK that the celebrities we approached were really keen to be involved. Obviously we wanted great voices but with all the extra voices and sounds you can add to Me Books we thought it was a great opportunity to really inject some new life and character into these classics. We’re all huge fans of Adam Buxton (Adam & Joe, 6 Music) and his enthusiasm and overall response to the project has been incredible. He’s definitely a firm favourite with readers too. Josie Lawrence (Who’s Line Is It Anyway?) and Simon Farnaby (Horrible Histories) each brought their own unique flavour to their titles giving us a really fabulous mix.
Which books are currently available on the app and are you planning to add any more?
James: The app is 69p and comes with the 1950’s classic ‘The Zoo’. There are currently 13 additional titles available in the app each priced at £1.99 including ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and ‘Cinderella’. As for more titles, I’ll let you in on a secret... we’ve just recorded David Jason, who’ll be voicing several of the titles being added later this year. I know!!!
www.ladybird.co.uk
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