REVIEW: Hallmark Interactive Storybooks
Hallmark’s interactive storybooks manage to be brilliantly interactive without a single app or data cable in sight.
When you read the story with your child, you will find there are key phrases marked in white type. When these phrases are spoken clearly, the book responds and depending on your child’s answer, will affect the narrative.
The books are battery operated – included – and are replaceable once flat.
A Day at Fairy Grandmother’s
It’s obviously aimed at the three-year-old Disney Princess loving girl, but the interactive elements far outweigh the gender bias.
The Fairy Grandmother has lost her wand and needs the reader’s help to find it. The book boasts 30 possible plot enhancements depending on the answer the child gives – though we haven’t managed to trigger every possible response.
Four year old Caitlynn Isles, loved reading the book with her mum Janet.
Janet says: “It was great being able to have a traditional picture storybook offer this level of interaction without resorting to a smart phone.
“I’m really keen to keep Caitlynn’s interests in books going for as long as possible. This kind of technology really impressed me. Especially when found within the humble pages of a storybook.”
10/10
All Aboard
And for the boys, or equally train loving girls is All Aboard, another interactive story working in exactly the same way.
Connor the train conductor, is aboard Celebration City’s version of the Union Pacific. His holiday is ultimately placed in jeopardy by a cow on the tracks – no laughing matter if you have ever regularly commuted through the Welsh Valleys and been held up by sheep one time too many.
Of course, the train makes Celebration City eventually, with the help of the reader and another 30 possible plot twists with the interactive element.
Four year old Hugo Bryant, said the story was ‘the best’ and loved the fact the book replied to him.
His mother Debi said: “Hugo absolutely loves trains but loathes reading in equal measure. Until now, the best I could do was Thomas the Tank Engine stories. He was beside himself with excitement to try out this book and it was really lovely to see such enthusiasm for reading finally come through.”
10/10
For children who find it hard to engage in age appropriate fiction, these magical books bring the story alive and allow them to feel in control through the decision making process.
Ideal gifts from a grandparent to a grandchild.
Fairy Grandmother Interactive Storybook
£14.99
All Aboard Interactive Storybook
£9.99
More interactive storybooks from Hallmark here