E-book apps have become increasingly popular on the iPad, with developers creating incredibly interactive experiences that you can’t get with a regular paperback. Oceanhouse Media has continued this e-book innovation with its new iPad app, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! – Dr. Seuss ($3.99).
This app contains the text and artwork from the original classic book, and everything really looks great. The simple black, white and red illustrations come to life with some minor background animations and subtle camera motions. You can choose to experience the story in one of three ways. The first way is probably the most interactive and entertaining. This way, you can have the professional narrator read the story to you, while you take your time exploring the images. Or, you can sit back and have the narrator read to you, and automatically turn each page. Of course, you can also turn the narration off, so you can read the story yourself.
The best thing about these ebooks is the interaction that you can’t get with a regular book. Throughout the story, you can tap any image to hear the narrator pronounce what that image is. This is especially fun for young children who love to touch things.
After quitting the app, you can easily resume from where you left off. Also, if you decide you want to turn the narration on or off, you can do that at any time during the story.
Everyone knows the classic story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but this app breathes new life into the old book. I was surprised at how engaged I was in the story while reading it on the iPad. This is an absolute must-own application.
