Cybils is an acronym for Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards.  After a long process Cybils awards are given out each year by bloggers for the year’s best children’s and young adult titles. Nominations open to the public on October 1st and remain open for two weeks.   All the titles are then judged by a preliminary panel of judges that are selected from volunteers. All judges must contribute at least once a month to a blog that’s primarily about children’s or young adult literature.  These judges are very busy as there are on average 1.000 submissions each year and pretty much every book gets read!

This year book apps were given a category of their own in Cybils.  With so many great children’s book apps on the market today what made the finalist list? Stick with us after the break to see…

Be Confident in Who You Are: A Middle School Confidential Graphic Novel
by Annie Fox
Free Spirit Publishing, developed by Electric Eggplant

This is a great app that we featured in a full review when it was first released.  It addresses some of the things that kids cope with every day when they transition to middle school.  If you have tweens and teens that age range they will love this full-color cartoon-illustrated graphic novel.

Bobo Explores Light
by GameCollage
Game Collage, LLC

It is no surprise to us that Bobo Explores Light has made the finalist in the book app category. We gave it a rave review when first released and are glad that others have seen it’s value too.

“Discover an app that takes iPad’s vast educational capabilities and turns them into a high-velocity joyride for kids” is not an overstatement for this app. It truly is like holding a virtual science museum in the palm of your hand!

The Monster at the End of This Book
by Callaway Digital Arts, Inc

It is no surprise to us that one of the great books developed by Callaway Digital Arts is on the list of finalists.  We have literally never ran across a Callaway app that is not superbly developed.    They are always well worth their cost and more.  This is a classic that your child will use over and over again and we said as much in our previously published  full video-review.

While this app does not allow you to read it to your child the antics of Grover, who turns out to really be The Monster at the End of This Book, more than make up for it.  The interactive play is so unbelievably real that one has to see it to believe it.

Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson and Trilogy Studios
Trilogy Studios Inc.

From acclaimed author Crockett Johnson, Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first and most popular book in the series. For more than five decades this book has been a beloved mainstay in parents libraries.  Harold needs your help to tell the story! Each page of the story allows children to color-in Harold’s drawing, bringing the scene to life in beautiful animation. And that’s when the real exploration begins! Dozens of interactions and surprise elements are ready to be found on every page.

Hildegard Sings
by Thomas Wharton
One Hundred Robots

Enter the world of Hildegard Rhineheffer, a lovable hippo who dreams of being an opera star. She suddenly has her big break when Frau Hoopenholler the lead in the opera is ill. Hildegard is flabbergasted by her stroke of luck – there is so much to do to prepare!  Help Hildegard overcome her stage fright and become the diva she deserves to be. You can feed her a feast, help her try on silly hats, or pop the bubbles in her bath.

Pat the Bunny
by Dorothy Kunhardt
Random House Books for Young Readers

Just in time for spring, a childhood classic is hopping onto the iPad.  Designed especially for toddlers and preschoolers, the app features 14 fully interactive scenes your kids can tap, swipe, and explore.  Kids giggle with delight as they play hide and seek with Bunny, pop bubbles in the bathtub, make music in the kitchen, and catch butterflies in the garden.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

by Moonbot Studios

The award-winning short film is now an interactive narrative experience. William Joyce’s “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”, blurs the line between picture books and animated film.  “Morris Lessmore” is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. “Morris Lessmore” is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.

So there you have it.  There are the seven finalists for this year’s Cybils awards in the book apps division.  Absolutely any app in this division is a great buy for your child. They were selected out of a field of over 1000 entries, and would never have gotten this far if they did not excel in their category. The first round judges are all experts in their field; they are to be trusted and have all earned  respect from their peers through their work with children’s books.

Depending on your child’s interest, skill level and age you are sure to find just the right book for them to enjoy.

Apps for iPads recommended reading:

Related posts:

1. The Monster at the End of This Book iPad App!
2. There’s Another Monster at the End of This Book!
3. If I Ran the Zoo in an App for iPads