Workshop for Southern Ontario Library Service – February 2013 Harness the magic of the iPad to enhance your library’s preschool programming and outreach. Understand the difference between eBooks and book apps and learn why this new and rapidly developing format has profound implications for children's literature and exciting possibilities for library programming. Preview the best children's picture book apps and learn how to integrate the iPad into your story time repertoire. Gain practical tips for getting started and maximizing your app budget. Learn where to find a quality children’s book app and where to find reliable reviews and recommendations. Discover the impressive range of children’s apps available ‘beyond the book’ and explore other ways that the iPad can be used to create exciting and innovative children’s programs and services.

1. Story Time
iPad
Jennifer Gal
Hamilton Public Library
Photo courtesy of gcaserotti on Flickr.

2. http://pinterest.com/libraryjennifer

3. Why
What
When
Where
How
Who

4. Why …
Photo courtesy of novemberwolf on Flickr.

5. • While the last several years has seen
readership of eBooks increase exponentially
amongst adults, until recently, this trend has
had little impact on children’s reading habits.
• This is changing as a result of two factors.

6. 1
• Though eReaders, tablets and other mobile
devices aren’t designed with the preschool
crowd in mind, they are making their way into
little hands through parents or adults.
• The Joan Ganz Cooney Center identified this
phenomenon as the pass-back effect.
“iLearn: A Content Analysis of the iTunes App Store’s Education Section.”
Carly Shuler Joan Ganz Cooney Center, March 25, 2010

7. 1
• Publishers who previously ignored the
children’s eBook market under the
assumption that “if kids don't own Kindles
and Nooks there's no point in selling books
to them” now need to change their strategy
to respond to increasing demand for
children’s digital content.
“Tech Trends: Talking Apps and Ebooks at TOC Bologna.”
Lauren Barack SLJ, April 12, 2011

8. 1
The percentage of
children who have
read an eBook has
almost doubled
since 2010.
46% of children
have read an eBook -
up from 25% in 2010.
“Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report.”
Scholastic, January 2013

9. 2

10. 2
• “Sixty percent of publishing executives believe
that tablets have become ‘the ideal reading
platform,’ and 45 percent believe that
dedicated eReaders will soon be irrelevant”.
“As Tablets Supplant Ereaders, New Challenges Arise for Publishers.”
Matt Enis The Digital Shift January 17, 2013

11. 2
• As demand shifts from dedicated eReaders to
touch screen tablets, there are exciting
implications for picture books.
• While the small, black and white screens of
the first generation eReaders were not suited
to picture books, the iPad and other tablets
are ideal – offering vibrant, full colour displays
with powerful interactivity.
• The future of pop-up and lift the flap books
is digital.

12. 2
• Karen Lotz, CEO of Candlewick Press,
explained that they were initially “hesitant to
enter into [the digital] market when it was
simply taking a beautiful physical object,
scanning it, and then presenting it in a very
inadequate way ... We decided ‘we’re going
to ... wait until these devices could do
justice to these materials.’ In a way, our
story is just beginning because of tablets.”.
“As Tablets Supplant Ereaders, New Challenges Arise for Publishers.”
Matt Enis The Digital Shift January 17, 2013

13. PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit

14. • 1 out of every 6 computers shipped
in the last quarter of 2012 was an iPad.
• “None of the leading computer manufacturers
shipped as many computers total as Apple
sold iPads”.
1 2 3 4 5 6
“Crazy iPad Numbers: 1 in 6 Computers Shipped Last Quarter Was an iPad.”
iPad Insight. February 7, 2013

15. iPads account for 91% of all tablet web traffic
Apple
“91% of All Tablet Web Traffic & Other Crazy iPad Numbers at Today’s Apple Event.”
iPad Insight. September 12, 2012

16. • 27% lower income homes
vs. 57% higher income
homes have mobile media
devices.
• 14% lower income homes
vs. 47% higher income
homes have downloaded
apps.
• 38% of lower income
parents don’t know what
an app is. “Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America.”
Common Sense Media, October 2011

17. What …
Photo courtesy of Gustavo Devito on Flickr.

18. • eBooks are digital documents in the EPUB or
PDF format. eBooks have limited interactivity
beyond resizing text, searching content, etc.
• Enhanced eBooks (ePUB3) are a new format
that allows easy integration of video, audio,
and interactivity, ideal for non-fiction.
• Book apps are standalone software
applications that are designed specifically for
the Apple or Android operating system.
“Interactive eBook Apps: The Reinvention of Reading and Interactivity.”
UX Magazine, April 12, 2012

19. • Book apps are “designed specifically to utilize
the powers of tablets to enable users to
interact with the storyline in sight, sound,
and touch.”
• Not all book apps are created equal. While
some can be static and relatively low tech,
there are an increasing number of high
quality apps available with an incredible level
of interactivity.
“Interactive eBook Apps: The Reinvention of Reading and Interactivity.”
UX Magazine, April 12, 2012

20. • Native apps are books which have been
written and designed specifically for the iPad.
Because they are created for the touchscreen
interface, interactive elements can sometimes
seem more organic to the story. However,
native apps are sometimes lacking in terms of
story and quality of art work.
• Adapted apps are titles that were originally
released in print and have been translated for
the iPad.

21. • Successful print books don’t always translate
well to the iPad and need to be evaluated in
terms of their effectiveness as an app.
Moo, Baa, La La La! Goodnight Moon

22. • The best apps incorporate meaningful
interactivity instead of simply adding a game
layer over the story. Excessive bells and
whistles can be distracting and break the flow
of the story.
• Interactive elements or hot spots should
propel the narrative forward rather creating a
detour.

23. • Book apps can also be evaluated according to
the same criteria used for print media.
• While interactivity is very important, it can’t
compensate for a weak narrative or poor
illustrations.

24. When …
Photo courtesy of courosa on Flickr.

25. • Picture book apps can be introduced as
another format to add interest and variety
to your story time session.

26. • The iPad offers lots of
possibilities for
incorporating music and
sounds. Individual songs
can purchased in iTunes
and there is a growing
number of children’s
song apps available.
• There are also lots of
apps devoted exclusively
to animal sounds.

27. • Apps such Felt Board and Make a Scene enable
the iPad to function as a digital flannel board.
• Other apps naturally invite the same type of
audience interactions as traditional felt boards.
Nighty Night and Endless Alphabet are good
examples.

28. • There are lots of
nursery rhyme apps
available and some,
such as Mulberry
Fingerplays, even
include an instructional
element which can serve
as an excellent training
resource for staff.

29. Where …

30. • There are a multitude of children’s apps available
but navigating the App Store can be
overwhelming.
• Most traditional print reviewing sources now
include app reviews as well as annual best apps
lists.
• The handful of screenshots provided in the App
Store are inadequate to evaluate an app, so these
reviews sometimes provide video previews.
YouTube is also a great source for app previews.

31. www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/best-book-apps-of-2012/

32. www.slj.com/category/books-media/reviews/apps/

33. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/Apps/

34. www.hbook.com/category/choosing-books/app-review-of-the-week/

35. www.commonsensemedia.org/guide/best-first-kids-apps/ipad

36. http://littleelit.com

37. Boing Boing: Apps for Kids Podcast
http://boingboing.net/tag/appsforkids
Best Apps for Kids
www.bestappsforkids.org
Digital Storytime
http://digital-storytime.com
iPhone Mom
www.theiphonemom.com

38. How …
Photo courtesy of flickingerbrad on Flickr.

39. • iPad 2 or iPad 3*
• VGA cable and VGA adaptor
• A projector
*1st generation iPads do not allow ‘mirroring’ via a projector

40. • For groups of five or more, the iPad is most
effective when used with a projector.
• When connected to a projector through a VGA
cable, be careful not to break the connection.
This can be tricky with apps that require
physical movements – such as shaking.
• Always practice with an app before using it
in a program, so that you are familiar with the
navigation and ‘hot spots.’

41. • There are a huge range of children's apps
available for the iPad through the App Store,
ranging in price from 99¢ to $9.99 – though
most apps are less than $5.
• Apps are occasionally offered at reduced
prices or free for a limited period. Watch
reviewing sites and in the Featured section of
the App Store for special app promotions.

42. • Up to 10 devices and
computers (combined) can
be authorized to the same
Apple ID, allowing for apps
to be purchased once and
used on multiple iPads.
• New apps will load automatically on all devices
by selecting Automatic Downloads in the iPad
Settings under iTunes and App Stores.

43. single license - $12.99
Reflector App five user license - $54.99
• Reflector enables you to mirror content wirelessly from
your iPad to a computer. The only requirement is that
both devices need to be on the same wireless network.

44. The Wallee Hand Strap
$19.95

45. The Survivor Case
$79.99

46. Who…
Photo courtesy of babieswithipads.tumblr.com.

47. • Staff selected app recommendation lists

48. • iPad kiosks in the
children’s department
$345.00
Tabletop iPad kiosk by Lilitab Photo courtesy of gcaserotti on Flickr.

49. • Circulating Early Literacy iPad Kits

50. • iPad programming for all ages
Photo courtesy of Stow-Munroe Falls Public LibraryOH on Flickr.

51. Recap
Photo courtesy of flickingerbrad on Flickr.

52. Why
What
When
Where
How
Who

53. Photo courtesy of aperturismo on Flickr
Questions?

54. http://pinterest.com/libraryjennifer
Jennifer Gal
Hamilton Public Library
jgal@hpl.ca