What is different is how the book is presented to the reader. After choosing your language (English, German, French, or Spanish) you tap on the screen and you can have the book read to you one page at a
time OR you can read the book by yourself OR you can have the book read for you using "autoplay." I heard parts of the book in all 4 languages and was impressed (I'm wondering if something like this would be a simple way to brush up on my rusty Spanish and even rustier French).
Every few pages there are 3D pop-up interactive displays that give the reader a chance to "do" something with the story. Some are fun and a few actually have reading "merit" (such as matching, or crossing mid-line or following directions). What the book does not have is individual word recognition. Some interactive books let the reader touch a word and the word is pronounced or defined. That does not happen with this little book.
The art work is OK and the kids are not too "cutesy." We never see what the evil witch looks like and that's a plus.
I read and played with the book. Then I gave it to the other DrC to get his take on it. He read and played too. He thought it was a kick. I wonder what kids will do with a book like this? Does it encourage reading? Does it allow for visualization? Does it encourage creativity? What happens when a child gets a "normal" book with actual pages made of paper? I don't know the answers to these and other questions. As a former reading teacher I was continually looking for interesting books and "things" for my reluctant readers. Several books like this one would definitely be in my "bag of tricks" as it has merit.
It's a new world out there. We've had interactive books in CDs for years. This is the logical next step. If you have an iPad and a child who might sit down long enough to read this book, download it and start asking questions. It's free today.
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