Best apps for storytime
We're huge fans of reading and while you can never replace a well stocked library of picture books, there are some pretty fabulous apps on the market that make reading a really interactive experience. So pop your little one on your lap, and snuggle up with your tablet. It's time for a story!
1. StoryBots, $4.99 (one month membership) from the App Store
Any app that costs has to work hard for my money. Needless to say there's something pretty special going on with StoryBots Starring You Stories, because I've signed up to a monthly membership. Take a photo of your kids, create themselves a character, and you have access to 20 odd different stories each featuring 'you'. My personal favourite is The Big Race. Great stories, classy illustrations and an all-round fabulous product.
2. The Monster at the End of This Book.. starring Grover! $6.49 from the App Store
Hands up how many of you adored this book when you were a kid? I know I did, so believe me, the expectations were darned high when downloading this app. The good news is - it is all that and more!
Nighty Night, $4.19 from the App Store
This is a great app to get your wee one in the mood for lights out. A narrator takes you through the story and leads your little one to each room on the farm where the animals are getting ready for bed. You flick the switch to turn the lights out and when all the animals are in bed, it's time for your wee one to head off to the land of nod.
Disney Storytime, Free from the App Store (for the first three stories, then in app purchases available for additional titles)
Disney has a huge catalogue of storybooks available as apps. With this app you get three stories for free, Toy Story: Starry Night, Tangled: Rapunzel’s Story and Monsters, Inc.: Always Time for a Laugh. Then you can purchase over a dozen other titles at your leisure. All your favourites are here - from Nemo, to Cars and Lion King, as well as all the Disney Princesses. You can choose whether to have the book read to you, or young readers can read it themselves, or for an added twist you can record your own voice and use that as playback. Cute.
Published: July 2013
