Kiwi iPad app wins UK tick

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Media Release: May 27 2010

Kiwi iPad app wins UK tick

A New Zealand book, turned into an interactive digital application by Auckland company Kiwa Media, has been named by The Sunday Times in the United Kingdom this week as one of the four “most exciting apps available” for the new Apple iPad.

“Barnaby Bennett” is a children’s colour picture book written by Hannah Rainsforth, illustrated by Ali Teo and published by Huia Publishing.

Sunday Times writer Matthew Bingham picked it out in his “Planet of the Apps” column for the best accessories and add-ons for the iPad.

Kiwa Media has adapted two of Huia’s books – “Barnaby Bennett” and “Oh Hogwash Sweet Pea” -for its Q Book format. They are available through the Apple apps online store and can not only be used on the new tablet computer iPad, but also on iPhones and the iPod Touch.

Rhonda Kite, Kiwa Media’s founder and chief executive, says the Sunday Times selection shows the digital medium opens up a new opportunities for New Zealand writers, illustrators and publishers. She says as the quality of their work is exposed rapidly through the growth of the iPad market, they should expect international interest in their skills.

Q Books are interactive, touchsmart and voice-activated books for Apple devices. They allow users to read the book, to run their fingers across the text to have the story read to them or to spell words out and even find out what the words mean. Parents can also record a version of their own voice for their children to play back.

Published in colour using the true format and illustrations in the original book, Q Books also offer a “paint” function meaning children can colour in the pictures to suit themselves.

Kiwa Media is also translating its Q Books into a growing number of languages. Barnaby Bennett, for one, is available in English, Maori, Spanish, Japanese and will soon be available in Mandarin.

Rhonda Kite says Kiwa had exceptional success at the London Book Fair last month and was able to attract even more attention as some large players did not make the fair as a result of the volcanic ash cloud disrupting flight plans.

Now it has its sight set on the Asian market at the Hong Kong Book Fair in July.

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