http://disneydigitalbooks.go.com
I am a big fan of all things Disney including the innovative ideas of their Imagineers. The new media technology found on DisneyDigital.com is a preview of tomorrow for the kids of today. There is a library of over 600 digital books to choose from the Disney traditional stories and newer franchises such as Nemo, Toy Story, Winnie The Pooh, Hannah Montanna, Cars and others, in a fun interactive experience. The amazing technological features of Look and Listen digital books are read aloud with music, sound effects, and a magic pen that will give you an age appropriate definition of any word when you click on it. You also have the option of reading the books yourself and get help from the magic pen when you need help with the pronunciation or definition of words as needed. The pages turn similar to real page turning and there is a sound like chimes to indicate when it is time to turn the page. Disney magic makes kids want to enjoy books and learn new words. No more being discouraged from being stuck on a word.
Another great technological advancement within this site is the Story Builder feature where kids can become authors of their own books. You choose from a category of Disney books, say Tinkerbell. As you read the general story there are blanks where you are allowed to fill in your own words from a list of provided nouns or verbs etc., which in itself is a great additional educational feature. You can also drop and drag pictures from a photo gallery pertaining to your category such as Tinkerbell’s friends or Tinkerbell in different poses and costumes. When you roll over the pictures with your mouse a brief description of the picture appears. After you build your book you can make your own customized cover with your name and print it or save it. Like magic you have your own personalized 12 page book and cover. Is that great or what???? There is also a rewards area and a section for parents to go to in order to select and suggest books to be put in My Place. My Place is a virtual study room to set your favorite, completed and Now Reading books. You are able to choose from several Disney themes that have book cases that house your books, message boards to keep up with your other reader friends, books you have authored in Story Builder and a place to keep the badges you’ve earned.
The design, look and feel of the site is another blog in itself. There is a carousel of main book categories and another floating carousel of books within that category. For instance the main category is Mickey Mouse and the floating category are all the books about Mickey. There is a bookcase that has Disney type icon characters to get to Look and Listen, Story Builder, My Books, etc. As you move the mouse over the icons they animate and a description appears. Home is Mickey reading a book, and the pre-loader is a book turning pages with little stars twinkling as they turn. The design is Disney brilliance.
I hope this new media is an addition to a child’s library. I love the animated stories and sound effects, but I can’t help but remember the bond I had with my mother as she read to me as a child. I have fond memories of looking at all the books on the shelf in my bedroom and I knew at any given moment I could go into another world just by looking at the beautiful artwork on the cover. I went to my six year old nephew’s birthday party recently, and marveled at how excited he got over all of the books he had received as gifts. This new technology has advantages especially for the kids with special needs. Digital books enhance the reading experience with sounds and animation, but the disadvantage is they are on virtual shelves in a virtual library that can disappear if your subscription lapse.
Another great technological advancement within this site is the Story Builder feature where kids can become authors of their own books. You choose from a category of Disney books, say Tinkerbell. As you read the general story there are blanks where you are allowed to fill in your own words from a list of provided nouns or verbs etc., which in itself is a great additional educational feature. You can also drop and drag pictures from a photo gallery pertaining to your category such as Tinkerbell’s friends or Tinkerbell in different poses and costumes. When you roll over the pictures with your mouse a brief description of the picture appears. After you build your book you can make your own customized cover with your name and print it or save it. Like magic you have your own personalized 12 page book and cover. Is that great or what???? There is also a rewards area and a section for parents to go to in order to select and suggest books to be put in My Place. My Place is a virtual study room to set your favorite, completed and Now Reading books. You are able to choose from several Disney themes that have book cases that house your books, message boards to keep up with your other reader friends, books you have authored in Story Builder and a place to keep the badges you’ve earned.
The design, look and feel of the site is another blog in itself. There is a carousel of main book categories and another floating carousel of books within that category. For instance the main category is Mickey Mouse and the floating category are all the books about Mickey. There is a bookcase that has Disney type icon characters to get to Look and Listen, Story Builder, My Books, etc. As you move the mouse over the icons they animate and a description appears. Home is Mickey reading a book, and the pre-loader is a book turning pages with little stars twinkling as they turn. The design is Disney brilliance.
I hope this new media is an addition to a child’s library. I love the animated stories and sound effects, but I can’t help but remember the bond I had with my mother as she read to me as a child. I have fond memories of looking at all the books on the shelf in my bedroom and I knew at any given moment I could go into another world just by looking at the beautiful artwork on the cover. I went to my six year old nephew’s birthday party recently, and marveled at how excited he got over all of the books he had received as gifts. This new technology has advantages especially for the kids with special needs. Digital books enhance the reading experience with sounds and animation, but the disadvantage is they are on virtual shelves in a virtual library that can disappear if your subscription lapse.
-jv
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