Exclusively for iPad
Zanny - Born to Run
Zanny - Born to Run is an interactive iPad book. And Zanny runs through the whole book! This is the first in a series specifically designed to address one of the major issues commonly associated with ASD. Zanny addresses running or hyperactivity. Award-winning writer Pamela Sloane-Bradbury promises more books in this series including books about sensory integration disorder and food texture aversion.
Typical children will undoubtedly enjoy this book. But the author wrote Zanny for her son, who has developmental disabilities, in order that it would help him understand how he is different from other kids, and that he'd "learn to accept and love his unique spirit." I'm sure it will help other kids with autism do the same!
All iPad books designed for young children, especially children with autism, should have certain features. Those features include an auto-read function, lots of interactivity, and beautiful compelling artwork. Zanny has all those features and even includes a built-in game as a bonus. The game is all about pairing emotions with facial expressions; a very nice little bonus since many children with autism are challenged with social cues such as recognizing facial expressions.
This iPad book contains a good assortment of interactivity. On many pages you can touch Zanny himself to see him flee across the screen from left to right. You also hear him making sounds depending on which page you're on. You can make him jump up and down on one page. On the page where he's sleeping (yet still running in his sleep) you can tap the flashlight on his dresser to turn it on, and tap the robot toy on his floor to watch it come to life with lights and sound. Touch your finger on different objects throughout this iPad book. You may be surprised by what you find.
Zanny - Born to Run captures the essence of a child with autism who won't stop running. It's like Zanny has no off switch. He's even running when he's sick. I've known some ASD kids to be like that.
You get the option to turn the background music on/off, and you can select an option to have the book read to you. You can also toggle on the "auto-turn pages" feature.
To turn pages you touch the arrows on the bottom of each page. Optionally, I'd like to swipe to turn pages. My son has gotten used to swiping when he wants to turn a page.
I'd also like to see each word highlight as it is being read. I believe this is important for new readers, including kids with autism, and helps them to identify the audible word with the written word.
It would also be great if Zanny supported VGA out so this book could be read to a group of kids. Maybe my son could show Zanny to his class at school! That would be incredible!
Zanny - Born to Run is a great iPad book! It's 11 animated fun-filled pages that will surely keep kids coming back for more. Read Zanny, read Zanny, read, read, read.
