Back To School,  Technology

Utales Children’s EBooks App Review

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Click on link below for video and more information about Utales

UTales is my new favourite multi-purpose, educational site for Moms, Dads and growing readers. There are many fantastic resources here on UTales, described as a world of picture books for kids. Above, you can see just a few of the amazing digital picture books for children, running all the way upto age nine. The greatest concentration of books here is the preschool category. But there are many sweet, colourful and original tales. My youngest daughter, myself and even my oldest at 10, have been loving this app for the past month. My oldest uses the tales to read to the youngest and my youngest, now 7, who struggles with processing issues, loves how vibrant the tales are, and she adores that she can control the books by reading at her own pace on my IPhone.

This sweet book is How Lilly Ate the Rainbow
I like the Utales blog with information about writing and children’s books and epublishing. This is rapidly becoming a hit with me. It is content heavy and chock full of resources. There are over 140 writers and illustrators already published here and the variety of tales on Utales is always changing as a result. The editorial panel is led by children’s book editor and consultant Emma D. Dryden, a veteran in the industry. She has worked with Atheneum and Margaret K. Elderberry Books, imprints of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. Dryden has seen over 100 books published traditionally. Her credentials are substantial and her input in the selection of authors here means that there are really no weak links.
Back about one year ago, when I was given a Kobo to review, my main criticism was the lack of children’s books. There are many new devices and tablets now that support creative learning and multi-sensory approaches to reading. The IPAD has in fact revolutionized reading and learning for a lot of children, especially those with special needs. I am a huge fan of any app or technology that makes my child’s world more workable. Anyone can use Utales for a 15 day free trial. http://utales.com/
Utales requires ios 3.1.2 or later and is compatible with iphone, ipad and ipod touch, so it isn’t usable on the playbook or android platforms yet. But the site promises soon to be available to android users.
Pros of the Site:
+ more than one member of the family can use it.
+The variety of books is stunning and they are high quality and unique.
+the fact that I can use it to try and publish my own books
+The ability to make interactive books and learn a few self publishing tips and writing skills
+There is also a Facebook page and a blog that feeds UTales. Smart.
++UTales has partnered with Pencils of Promise to donate funds from Utales thereby helping to build schools in developing countries.
Cons of the site:
– The price ($9.99 a month for unlimited access.) It might actually be worth it because it is a multipurpose purchase. But it is a bit pricey for full access. That gets unlimited numbers of books to read and tips on writing etc. as needed.
-The lack of variety of books for age eight and up or nine.
-You still have to find your own illustrations if you are a writer.
Utales gets a $$$$ out of $$$$$

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.