FableVision Studios and Reading Is Fundamental Present Free Reading Apps for Kids at Boston Book Festival
BOSTON – FableVision, a Boston-based group of education media development and publishing companies, and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, have teamed up to develop and distribute two free apps focused on building early childhood literacy in preschool and elementary-aged children. The apps bring RIF’s long-time mission of promoting an early love of reading to the digital era through interactive read-aloud stories, digital drawing boards and virtual science labs. The apps were developed using best practices in literacy and are designed to help children build strong foundations for reading while engaging them through entertaining stories and vibrant loveable characters. They are available free of charge through funding from Macy’s and the Verizon Foundation and are based on stories written through a partnership with the National Writing Project.
The new apps will be featured at the upcoming Boston Book Festival, beginning with an open house party at FableVision Studios that will kick off festivities the evening of Friday, Oct. 18. The apps will also be featured in an interactive booth at the Kids Alley section of the festival on Saturday, Oct. 19. Visitors to the booth will be able to not only try the apps, but also get the chance to engage in different science experiments and interact with a mad scientist robot.
In the “Water Wonders” app, users are led by young sibling scientists Sydney and Symon Starr through the world of the water cycle. Kids can view an animated story or head straight to the “experiments” section, where they can engage in a series of virtual science projects and gain familiarity with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) subjects. The “Our Book” app takes users through six mini adventures with a character named SugarLoaf and her family as they use reading, writing and listening to explore new worlds. Kids can also enter a writing and drawing studio where they can create their own stories from scratch. Both apps are available in English and Spanish versions for Android and iOS tablets. The apps are the brainchild of brothers, Peter H. and Paul Reynolds, founders and Co-Chief Executives of FableVision. Peter H. Reynolds has a longstanding reputation as an award-winning writer, storyteller, and illustrator and is well recognized voice across the publishing world. Peter and Paul Reynolds will be available for media interviews at the festival booth from 10 – 11 a.m. Oct. 19.
About Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) delivers free books and literacy resources to children and families in underserved communities in the United States. By giving children the opportunity to own a book, RIF inspires them to become lifelong readers and achieve their full potential. As the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, RIF has placed 410 million books in the hands of more than 39 million children since it was established in 1966. Learn more and help RIF provide books to kids who need them most, visit RIF.org.
About FableVision
FableVision Studios creates award-winning websites, games & activities, animated films, interactive graphic novels, museum kiosks, digital storybooks, desktop applications, and iPhone apps. FableVision’s media, storytelling and technology solutions move the meter for publishers, broadcasters, museums, research groups,foundations, and educational institutions. FableVision is dedicated to helping all learners reach their full potential and to telling “stories that matter, stories that move.” http://www.fablevision.com/.
