Sourcebooks Releases 'Put Me In The Story' Children's App for iPad

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Nov 20, 2012, 06:58 ET

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sourcebooks, a leading independent publisher, announces the immediate availability of Put Me In The Story™, an innovative, personalized children's app that allows users to personalize editions of nationally bestselling children's picture books. Far beyond any e-reading experience, the Put Me In The Story transforms and enhances story time by making your child the star of treasured children's stories.

"We know that reading with your child is something that, as a parent, you will always remember," says Dominique Raccah, CEO and publisher, Sourcebooks. "What makes Put Me In The Story unique is that it takes bestselling picture books that children, parents, and educators already know and love, and personalizes that experience. For kids, seeing their name throughout the book makes them feel special and gets them excited about reading. For parents, it creates an unbelievable bond."

Put Me In The Story launches with three bestselling picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Dream Big, Little Pig by Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and The Night Night Book and If I Could Keep You Little by award-winning author and illustrator Marianne Richmond.

The Put Me In The Story App allows users to create personalized books with the child's name throughout each bestselling story—a captivating and magical experience for any child. A dedication page at the front allows parents to easily personalize each book with their own photo. In addition, Twitter and Facebook integration on the dedication page allow the user to share their delightful experience with friends and family.

Just in time for the holidays, users will also have the ability to print their personalized digital books. Sourcebooks will work with Ingram for printing and distribution services. "Ingram is thrilled to have a role in Sourcebooks Put Me In The Story program," said John Ingram, CEO, Ingram Content Group. "Using Ingram's print-on-demand and distribution as the back end, Sourcebooks is bringing yet another innovative program to our fast-changing industry."

Upon opening the book, users tap "Put Me In The Story" to instantly create their own personalized book. A child can also choose "Read to Me" or "Read by Myself," which supports early reading and allows independent readers to explore at their own pace. Parents will appreciate the subtle animation (clouds move, sky changes from night to day!), interactivity, and sound effects (bubbles, dogs, crickets, and more!) that will help a child engage with the story on many levels.

"We started with two very distinct challenges, adds Raccah. "First, how do we create a more meaningful bedtime reading experience for parents and their children, and second, how do we build a digital future for children's book authors and illustrators. We believe the Put Me In The Story App accomplishes all that, and more."

Pricing & Availability
The Put Me In The Story App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The download comes with one free title, The Night Night Book. The two additional titles, Dream Big, Little Pig and If I Could Keep You Little, are available via In-App Purchase for $4.99 each.

Custom print book orders can be placed at http://www.putmeinthestory.com/ and are priced at $29.99.

Sourcebooks is already working with other publishers to make their titles available on this new personalized children's book platform. If interested, please visit http://www.putmeinthestory.com/contact-us.html.

For more information about Sourcebooks, its authors, and new initiatives, visit www.sourcebooks.com.

SOURCE Sourcebooks