Augmented Reality

Alive Studios to Launch Augmented Reality Storybook for Elementary Students

• By Michael Hart
• 06/24/16

Alive Studios, which creates supplemental reading and math materials for students in grades preK-3, is introducing its first augmented reality children's storybook.

While the printed version of the first book, "Amos Alligator Arrives at the Airport," must be purchased, the app that makes the story come alive with 3D interactive animation on tablets and smartphones is free.

Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with the user's environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a totally artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existing environment and overlays new information on top of it.

With the Amos Alligator Arrives at the Airport app, young readers will be able to point their tablet or smartphone at the print version of the book and see the characters come to life on the device. As the reader touches the screen, they can interact with the characters. Children can have the book both read to them or read it themselves.

What is expected to be the first in a series of augmented reality storybooks, "Amos Alligator Arrives at the Airport" will teach the letter A, the sound it represents and several words that include the letter that are relevant to Amos's adventure.

"It's so funny when teachers see our animated characters pop into their mobile devices," said Cynthia Kaye whose title at Alive Studios is chief zoo keeper. "They get as excited as the kids do."

The new augmented reality storybook will be demonstrated at ISTE 2016 June 26-29 in Denver.

The storybook app is available now on the iTunes App Store or Google Play. The printed book can be purchased from Alive Studios.