Amazon has officially launched Rapids, a new app that combines children’s books with the format of texting.
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In an effort to get children more in interested in reading and parents less upset over the amount of time kids spend on phones and tablets, Amazon’s Rapids will provide elementary-level stories, for kids ages 7-12, in the form of instant messaging. The pace of the ‘conversation’ is controlled by the reader, and kids can click any word and get a definition and pronunciation from the app, as well as a glossary of words to reference later. The app also has audiobook features to ‘read along’ with children.
This isn’t the first time that reading content has been portrayed through text conversations, but it is the first time it’s been done in such an immediate, engaging way with aim at such a young target audience. Playing with the mediums in such a way may offer more room for growth in the future of digital publishing.