Ah the 1990’s, a simpler time where us 80’s babies were just learning the enjoyment of being able to read on our own, or better yet, figure out what are parents had been spelling so we couldn’t understand what they were talking about for years. A major key to my reading ability was Reading Rainbow, a show that started on June 6, 1983 and ran all the way until November 10, 2006 on PBS.
For those of you who didn’t have enough tissues handy when this show went off the air, prepare to be filled with joy, as the brand new Reading Rainbow app has just bursted onto the scene. The application is in essence a wide variety of children's book and videos that will entice these adolescents to love to read.
Currently boasting around 150 books and 16 videos, it also powers audio storytelling by actors, and other activities to mix fun with reading. And guess what? The more you read, the more benefits you will receive (besides polishing your reading skills), as the app contains a reward system where children are given digital stickers each time they leverage the solution.
Available as a subscription service for $9.99 per month or $29.99 for six months, this iPad- ready app is sure to drag your kids away from the television or computer without any kicking or screaming – or maybe just a little."We're excited to offer a safe experience designed just for kids," Asra Rasheed, RRKidz CEO said in a statement. "We've created an easy-to-use subscription service for parents, allowing them to unlock the extensive Reading Rainbow library books and videos without the worry of approving and purchasing each item separately."
Do you remember the man who hosted the original Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton? Just when you thought this product couldn’t get any better, it does—as he will be present on the app.He commented, "I come from a family of teachers, and when I was offered the opportunity to host Reading Rainbow in 1983, I recognized immediately the value in using technology to inspire kids to read. Reading will never go out of style, but the tools used for learning are changing. I am excited to bring Reading Rainbow back so that parents who watched the show can now share that same feel-good experience with their own children but on a platform that resonates with today's digital kids."