CLOSED-Ruckus Media Book Apps for the Holidays! & GIVEAWAY! Happy Holidays Gift Guide!

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Hey All you Iphone, Ipad, or Ipod Touch Users!

Have you heard about Ruckus Media Group Book Apps? They recently launched a series of classic stories to use on all those Apple Gadgets that are great for children. Their current titles include Pecos Bill, The Velveteen Rabbit, John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, and Tom Thumb. These Apps are part of what they call their Rabbit Ears library. The apps are universal and were developed to run on Ipod Touch, the iPhone, and iPad. Each comes with three different options to read the story.

These awesome apps also feature professional narration by fabulous celebrities.  For example, Pecos Bill is narrated by Robin Williams, Meryl Streep reads The Velveteen Rabbit, John Cleese tells of Tom Thumb, Garrison Keillor reads Johnny Appleseed, and Denzel Washington is the voice of John Henry. Each App includes three options to use the app in.

First I tried the video version option which is story telling with out any text on the screen in these videos, but there is an original score to accompany and narration. The music is these apps is done by amazing artists like Elvis Costello and B.B.King among others. There really is no detail left undone in these amazing apps.

The next story option I tried is the one where it makes the app like a book and you will turn the pages (aka swipe your fingers across the screen of your gadget) one at a time. There is no narration in this opyion.

Finally, I tried the read and record option. This is where you can record yourself reading the story. After you’ve done recording you can hear your voice doing a personal narration as you move through the book. I do like that the app gives you the three different options. It makes it fun and unique.

I tested out all Five Apps, but the story of Pecos Bill narrated by Robin Williams stood out the most to me as Robin Williams did an amazing job narrating the video. The other apps have Amazing narration too, but this is the Story I personally liked the best. Pecos Bill’s illustrations captured the spirit of the story and looked great on my iPad.

Below are some pics, titles, and links to the Apps that I was lucky to try on my Ipad. They are each sold for $3.99 each on Itunes.

Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table, told by John Cleese, illustrated by Tim Gabor, music by Elvis Costello http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tom-thumb/id396185175?mt=8

The Velveteen Rabbit told by Meryl Streep, illustrated by Dave Jorgenson, music by George Winston http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-velveteen-rabbit/id395279598?mt=8

Johnny Appleseed, told by Garrison Keillor, illustrated by Stan Olson, music by Mark O’Connor http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/johnny-appleseed/id396178849?mt=8

Pecos Bill told by Robin Williams, illustrated by Tim Raglin, music by R. Cooder. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pecos-bill/id396147522?mt=8

John Henry told by Denzel Washington, illustrated by Barry Jackson, music by B.B. King http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/john-henry/id396158487?mt=8

These Apps would make great gifts for any child this year! If you plan on buying an Ipod Touch or Ipad for you child consider pre-loading it with this digital library library of Apps! I’m sure they will love them!

In a recent online national survey of parents with children ages 12 and younger, 49 percent reported plans to give their kids electronic gifts such as cell phones, computers, tablets and Ipod Touch devices, for Christmas or Hanukkah this year. The Ruckus apps are really perfect for kids ages 4-10 who are into technology or ready to be techno-orientated – or families looking to share favorite stories while on the go.

In the coming weeks, they will be releasing two more apps via the iTunes store. Andrew Answers and A Present for Milo are original apps full of interactive touch-screen technology perfect for children who want to truly be a part of the story.  These apps are not part of the Rabbit Ears library.

On the Rabbit Ears front, they have three more brand new apps coming out soon that will include Goldilocks and the Three Bears (narrated by Meg Ryan), The Three Little Pigs (narrated by Holly Hunter) and The Steadfast Tin Soldier.