Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii was released as a book about a year and half ago. The book was originally developed to accompany a sign language program that helps hearing children learn to read. As a baby sign language consultant, the author helps parents encourage language development and pre-emergent literacy skills in their children with the use of sign language.

But you won’t see any sign language in the book or the new app for that matter. Instead, the beautiful collage illustration will help your children learn about all the animals that live in the sea in Hawaii (and a lot of other places too). The repetitive rhyming text captures and holds children’s attention.

So how is a book app different from a book? Book apps are very similar to books, but you can download dozens of them onto your electronic device whether it be your iPad or Kindle. The reader can choose to be read to or read it himself. The illustrations are lightly animated, meaning that they may move or pan, but the app does not turn the book into a movie, it is still a book. Book apps are also much cheaper than books since there are no printing costs associated with publication.

“Book apps are great for emergent readers because they offer text highlighting and read along features, “ says author, Monika Mira who is a also literacy advocate. “Every kid has his or her motivation, and sometimes reading on an electronic device is what does it for that particular child that may be struggling with literacy skills.”

The Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii book app was developed by Authorly for Lucid Publishing. This app is lightly animated and includes an interactive ocean animal quiz at the end. The book is read by professional readers, Mark James and Teresa Huff. The Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii app is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play. The book and ebook are also available on Amazon.