BooClips

From HandWiki

BooClips is a line of digital books for children on the iPad, Android, PC and Mac. Created by software company Castle Builders (IL), BooClips feature storylines and characters from movies, TV shows and the Bible. The company has partnered with several big entertainment companies in order to adapt their content to the BooClips format. These partnerships have assisted Castle Builders with garnering attention to their products.

Since the release of their first BooClips in April 2011, the digital books have experienced a significant amount of notice. Within six days of the LazyTown's Dr. Rottenstein BooClips release on April 20, 2011, the app was listed as number one in the iTunes US App Store for Books, and as number two in the iTunes App Store overall.[1][2] Since then Castle Builders has released several more BooClips, and is continuing to develop more.

About BooClips

The name "BooClips" derives from the two words "books" and "clips." The idea for these digital books for children is to create a multimedia experience that engages children in reading. The BooClips interface resembles a book, offering synchronized narration of the text with highlighted words, and a guiding element for marking the place on the page. BooClips integrate many animations with touch capabilities to all for a variety of actions, including an animated page flip effect. At the end of every chapter is a movie clip in which readers can view video footage of the material they have just read.

In addition to these features, BooClips offer translation into many different languages and clarification of the text, and even American Sign Language interpretation. Other features include a 3D mode, an animated magnifying glass, an animated bookmark, and a voice-over function allowing parents to record themselves reading in synchronization with the text.

"Edutainment"

BooClips are designed to be a form of "edutainment," meaning that it utilizes entertaining content to help children learn how to read. BooClips aim to encourage children's individual abilities and self-reliance, expand their vocabulary, improve their reading comprehension level and skills, and develop their imagination, through the mediums of technology and entertainment.

Partnerships and Releases

BooClips are primarily created and released out of partnerships Castle Builders forms with big entertainment companies to obtain content. On February 23, 2010, the company was picked up by worldwide merchandising and licensing agent 4Kids Entertainment.[3][4] However, after 4Kids Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 6, 2011, Castle Builders ended its relationship with them, and afterwards started signing other significant deals.

In October 2010 LazyTown entertainment announced a partnership with Castle Builders to produce eight digital books for children.[5] The first two of this series, LazyTown's Dr. Rottenstein BooClip, and LazyTown's Sportafake BooClip, were released for the iPad in April 2011.[6][7][8][9]

The company's next BooClips collaboration, announced on April 25, 2011,[10] was with DreamWorks Animation on its movie, Kung Fu Panda 2. This partnership actually ended up being a cross-collaboration with House Foods, which was also promoting the film with its tofu products.[11][12] From this cross-promotional strategy Castle Builders created the Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook as an addition to its BooClips line.

The Kung Fu Panda digital cookbook was released in May 2011, in the same time frame as the movie. The interactive cookbook received numerous reviews from both consumers and techies.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In addition to that, the iPhone version of the app received attention from tech website CNET.[20]

On September 12, 2011 Castle Builders announced its next BooClips collaboration with The Kids Bible Company LLC, and launched The Bible BooClips for the iPad. It released The Bible BooClips Creation and The Bible BooClips Cain and Abel, featuring stories from the Old Testament.[21][22][23][24]

The following month, on October 6, 2011, came the release of Garfield's BooClips – Garfield's Pet Force for iPad,[25] produced by Castle Builders in collaboration with Paws Incorporated, which based it on the Garfield's Pet Force movie that Paws, Inc. created with The Animation Picture Company and Davis Entertainment. The Garfield digital books contributed to the visibility of BooClips and Castle Builders, receiving many reviews,[26] and particular attention from The Guardian UK news website.[27]

The BooClips digital store was officially released on December 21, 2011. It had been its beta form on the BooClips website up until that point. The store splits up its BooClips offerings according to platform, with three categories for PC/Mac, Android, and iPad/iPhone. Accessed from a mobile device, it can sense what platform that device is using and point it towards the right BooClips.[28]

Castle Builders' most recent BooClips, the Hello Kitty Interactive Cookbook, was released in the iTunes Store on January 14, 2012.[29][30] It has garnered a large amount of attention and reviews from people around the world.[31][32][33] The company plans to further collaborate with Sanrio on two more Hello Kitty BooClips that will also be focused on cooking. This is the first Hello Kitty digital cookbook of the series, and is currently available only for PC, Mac, iPad and iPhone.

TimeLine of Releases

April 20, 2011 - LazyTown's Dr. Rottenstein BooClip and LazyTown's Sportafake BooClip are released for the iPad

May 2011 – Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook BooClips is released in cross-promotion with the Kung Fu Panda 2 movie and House Foods tofu snacks

September 12, 2011 – The Bible BooClips is launched, both The Bible BooClips Creation and The Bible BooClips Cain and Abel

October 6, 2011 – Garfield's BooClips – Garfield's Pet Force for iPad is released for the iPad, Android, PC, Mac, Nook Color and iBookstore.

December 21, 2011 – BooClips digital books store is officially released.

January 14, 2012 – The first Hello Kitty BooClips, Hello Kitty Interactive Cookbook, is released for iPad/iPhone, PC and Mac

About the Company

Castle Builders is a software company that develops digital apps for children. They create digital books for children as part of the worldwide "Edutainment" market, which aims to produce entertaining content with educational value for kids. The company was formed in 2006 by its CEO and software architect Gil Abramovich. The company is made up of artists, animators, designers and developers.[34]

Castle Builders creates using a software platform called the "Computerized Storybook" that the company developed itself. The platform grabs raw content from movies, music and written stories for children, and embeds it into a storybook interface. One of the main points about this platform is its quick integration with content, which can take as little as two days to complete. Castle Builders owns copyrights to the code and interface of the Computerized Storybook. In addition to that, as of early 2012, the name "BooClips" was officially trademarked and registered in the United States, and under the ownership of Castle Builders.

References

  1. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). LazyTown BooClips iPad app reached # 1 within first week of release! [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.prlog.org/11474313-lazytown-booclips-ipad-app-reached-1-within-first-week-of-release.html
  2. ↑ Roberts, Bena (2011, May 9). LazyTown teach your kids to read app hits 1st place on free iPad App Charts. Retrieved from http://www.gomonews.com/lazytown-teach-your-kids-to-read-app-hits-1st-place-on-free-ipad-app-charts/
  3. ↑ Rusak, Gary (2010, February 23). 4Kids Entertainment picks up rights to new story platform. Retrieved from http://kidscreen.com/2010/02/23/4kids-20100223/
  4. ↑ Loveday, Samanta (2010, February 23). 4Kids grabs Castle Builders. Retrieved from http://www.licensing.biz/news/4781/4Kids-grabs-Castle-Builders
  5. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2010). Castle Builders to Introduce LazyTown Online Books [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/Publishing/Castle-Builders-to-Introduce-LazyTown-Online-Books/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/691979
  6. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). Lazytown and Castle Builders Launch Their Booclips App for Children [Press Release]. Retrieved from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20110809230515/http://prmac.com/release-id-24702.htm. Retrieved 2012-02-22. 
  7. ↑ Votta, Marlon (2011, May 4). LazyTown BooClips: Free iPad app to aid children’s reading. Retrieved from http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/05/04/lazytown-booclips-free-ipad-app-to-aid-children%E2%80%99s-reading/
  8. ↑ Tyler, Lewis (2011, April 19). Castle Builders develops LazyTown book apps. Retrieved from http://www.licensing.biz/news/7072/Castle-Builders-develop-LazyTown-book-apps
  9. ↑ Fun Educational Apps (2011, May 7). Lazy Town BooClip: Famous Lazy Town Show Now as a Top Fun Interactive iPad Book App for Kids. Retrieved from http://www.funeducationalapps.com/2011/05/lazy-town-booclip-a-top-fun-interactive-ipad-book-app-for-kids.html
  10. ↑ DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (2011). DreamWorks Animation Announces Kung Fu Kicking Promotional Partner & Licensing Support for Kung Fu Panda 2 [Press Release]. Retrieved from [1]
  11. ↑ Getzler, Wendy Goldman (2011, April 25). Kung Fu Panda 2 inspires toys and tofu. Retrieved from http://kidscreen.com/2011/04/25/kung-fu-panda-2-inspires-toys-and-tofu/#ixzz1MaxtSghr
  12. ↑ Raugust, Karen (2011, May 19). Kung Fu Panda Returns. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/47336-licensing-hotline-may-19-2011.html
  13. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook: cooking has never been so much fun [Press Release]. Retrieved from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20110526081642/http://prmac.com/release-id-25860.htm. Retrieved 2012-02-22. 
  14. ↑ Shandrow, Kim Lachance (2011, June 5). Review: Kung Fu Panda 2 iPad cookbook recipes sizzle. Retrieved from http://www.tecca.com/columns/review-kung-fu-panda-2-ipad-cookbook-recipes-sizzle/
  15. ↑ Chubb, Tina (2011, May 26). Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook: Fun recipe app for iPad. Retrieved from http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/05/26/kung-fu-panda-2-interactive-cookbook-fun-recipe-app-for-ipad/
  16. ↑ Borochov, Rivka (2011, June 27). Castle Builders cooks up a book for DreamWorks. Retrieved from http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/Castle-Builders-cooks-up-a-book-for-DreamWorks-27-Jun-2011.htm
  17. ↑ Greenberg, Larry (2011, May 25). Karate Chop Your Way Into the Kitchen With Kung Fu Panda 2. Retrieved from http://www.runaroundtech.com/2011/05/25/karate-chop-your-way-into-the-kitchen-with-kung-fu-panda-2/
  18. ↑ Becker, Emily (2011, August 17). Caveat Emptor: iPad Cooking Apps that Cater to Kids. Retrieved from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20111219130810/http://www.poortastemag.com/caveat-emptor-ipad-cooking-apps-that-cater-to-kids/. Retrieved 2012-02-22. 
  19. ↑ DigitalReaders. (2011, June 21). Kids' iPad Apps - Kung Fu Panda 2 cookbook, Adventures in Africa and more… Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptln5RpdsYI&feature=player_embedded
  20. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook HD Lite for iPhone [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://download.cnet.com/Kung-Fu-Panda-2-Interactive-Cookbook-HD-Lite/3000-31713_4-75513975.html
  21. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). A Groundbreaking Bible App for the iPad – Castle Builders (IL) and The Kids Bible Company LLC launch 2 BooClips bible apps for Children [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.castle-builders.net/The%20Animated%20Kid%27s%20Bible%20and%20Castle%20Builders%20-%20Bible%20BooClips%20App%20for%20the%20iPad%20-%20Press%20Release.pdf
  22. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2012). The Bible BooClips - Creation for iPhone [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://download.cnet.com/The-Bible-BooClips-Creation/3000-20412_4-75568413.html?tag=contentMain;photoCaption
  23. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). A Game-Changing Bible App for the iPad – Castle Builders’ Bible BooClips [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://dailyappshow.com/a-game-changing-bible-app-for-the-ipad-castle-builders-bible-booclips
  24. ↑ Kluver, Carisa (2011, October 20). The Bible BooClips – Creation. Retrieved from http://digital-storytime.com/review.php?id=351
  25. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). Jaw-Dropping Garfield iPad App Launches Today [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.prlog.org/11685727-jaw-dropping-garfield-ipad-app-launches-today.html
  26. ↑ Burkell, Marge "MaggieB" (2011, October 18). Garfield’s BooClips iPad App – Featuring Garfield’s Pet Force! Retrieved from http://appsforipads.net/entertainment-apps/garfields-booclips-ipad-app
  27. ↑ Dredge, Stuart (2011, October 10). Apps Rush: Crazy Copter 3D, Bumster, Minecraft, Mob Wars and more. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/oct/10/apps-rush-crazy-copter-bumster?newsfeed=true
  28. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2011). Castle Builders (IL) Launches a New Digital Books Store for Children [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.pr.com/press-release/378816
  29. ↑ Tyler, Lewis (2012, January 19). Hello Kitty teaches desserts in digital cookbook. Retrieved from http://www.toynews-online.biz/news/35283/Hello-Kitty-teaches-desserts-in-digital-cookbook
  30. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2012). Hello Kitty Interactive Cookbook: Baking Has Never Been So Much Fun [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.prlog.org/11774222-hello-kitty-interactive-cookbook-baking-has-never-been-so-much-fun.html
  31. ↑ Sheena (2012, January 17). HELLO KITTY ITUNES INTERACTIVE COOKBOOK. Retrieved from [2]
  32. ↑ Castle Builders (IL). (2012). Developer's Notes for: Hello Kitty Interactive Cookbook. Retrieved from http://www.appolicious.com/shine/apps/1002527-hello-kitty-interactive-cookbook-castle-builders-il-ltd/developer_notes
  33. ↑ Druett, Joan (2012, January 19). Another interactive cookbook. Retrieved from http://joan-druett.blogspot.com/2012/01/another-interactive-cookbook.html
  34. ↑ The Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest Houston (2011, June 3). Castle Builders Cooks Up a Book for DreamWorks. Retrieved from http://israelhouston.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=446%3A-castle-builders-cooks-up-a-book-for-dreamworks&catid=45%3Alatest-news&Itemid=242&lang=en[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]




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