Title: The Zebra Said Shhh
Author: M.R. Nelson
Illustrator: Tamia Sheldon
Genre: Children's (Publisher: Xist)
Oh hi. So I've never written about a babe book on the blog--unless you remember my somewhat snarky End of Year Survey for 2011 when all I was reading were babe books. When the publicist for Xist Publishing contacted me about a children's ebook I was definitely intrigued. I've never read any books with Elle on the ipad or even iphone. She doesn't play many games on the ipad and I don't really have many apps for her downloaded. No reason why not--other than I don't really know where to start.
The Zebra Said Shhh is a cute little book about a zebra at the zoo who is trying to get all of the other animals to go to sleep. The color scheme is bright primary colors and the wording on each page is simple and brief--definitely important for short attention spans. There are several animals throughout the book and since I have been teaching Elle animal noises, this book comes at the perfect time for her.
This post is part of a tour and because of various circumstances I was not able to sit down and read the book with Elle in time for this post. I have no doubt that we'll have a lot of fun with it, though, especially as there are many animals in the book that she isn't as familiar with yet. It will also be a fun precursor to visiting the zoo once the weather is warmer.
Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher who also publishes in boardbook format. Honestly, I'm just not sure about grabbing the ipad when we're ready to read a book. Perhaps I would feel differently if I had a designated ereader? Either way I'm glad that I can grab this one in a hardcopy version as well!
How do you feel about ebooks for kiddos? Do you have any favorites? Any that are interactive?
I've been downloading some free Kindle Kids books for the future when the kiddo is a bit older, but agree paper is preferable for little ones (and iPad's long life...LOL)
ReplyDeleteDiane - I know just what you mean about the long life of an iPad. I think that a designated e-reader might be better but mine isn't in color--not very appealing to little eyes.
DeleteI've never tried reading an ebook to my toddler- in fact I never even thought of it. I prefer paper books to electronic myself, so didn't think of offering that to her. She does sometimes play simple games on my kindle fire- a music one that has piano keys to press, a drawing one that she can make colored lines with her finger, that's about it. I don't think I want her "reading" on it yet, although I can see how it might be useful, say, when traveling where you'd want lots of options and not to haul all the books.
ReplyDeleteJeane - the piano and coloring sound like what we currently have in the way of apps as well. I feel like I'm behind other tech-savvy moms but honestly I just can't bring myself to giving her the iPad to play with all the time, you know? But yes--great for travels!
DeleteShane has loads of apps on my ipad so I'd prefer to keep reading off-screen... He does have a few book-based things on there, like the Dr Seuss ABCs one, but I never read it with him, I keep reading-together-time limited to hard copies.
ReplyDeleteJoanna - Hmmm--I'll have to look into the Seuss ABCs. We have the book but I think some interactive apps would be fun. I just don't want the iPad to become a big habit though I admit I'm conflicted both ways--wanting her to be tech savvy but also wanting her to be an explorative kid, too.
DeleteI like them!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get Baby Whimsy her own Kindle and fill it with kids books. We also love paper but it's nice to have eBooks for on the go.
This looks good btw.
Juju - It really is a cute little book, especially when learning all of the animals and their sounds. I think if I had a color e-reader I'd be more likely to load up on the ebooks but right now I have a basic kindle that isn't all that appealing to the babe. Ha!
DeleteOh my god Madison is obsessed with my iPad. She plays it every single day even though she is really too young for most of it. If you want any ideas for apps, feel free to email me. I could give quite the list.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm still in hard copy for kids. I think I kids are to connected, and reading, although very private and personal, doesn't need to be on electronics.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this on Sunday when the Ramona Quimby books were the daily deal for the Kindle. I decided not to buy them because I wanted to have physical copies instead. There's usually reading time at school and my kid bring books from home. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't allow an e-reader.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest is learning to read right now so I did buy a few Dora early reader books on the kindle when they were 99 cents. We've read them together a few times, but I think she even prefers the paper books and going to library or choosing from our own shelves. I guess there's room for both, though. I like them for travel. When my son brought the hardcover Harry Potter books 5 and 6 with him on our flight home this past Christmas, I was wishing we had them on an e-reader.
Gage has a few apps he loves. I can email you. We haven't gotten into the books. He loves REAL books. Wonder where he gets that from :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea. I wish all my little primary students had iPads to keep with them. It would change things, I think.
ReplyDeleteWe just have one e-book on the iPad, but it's a good one - The Three Little Pigs. It can be used interactively or the application can read it out loud to your child. It was great while we were travelling; for some reason Iggy adored it no matter how many times we played it! But when we're at home I only read him regular hard copy books.
ReplyDelete