Boston-based digital content developer FableVision is celebrating the launch of the first in a series of animated applications of classic children's stories, which it helped bring to Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for Ruckus Media Group, a global mobile family entertainment company. FableVision has overseen the design and technical development of the digital story app engines, along with the first five titles in the Ruckus line, with dozens more launching in the coming months. FableVision's CEO Paul Reynolds notes, "FableVision is known around the world for its pioneering efforts in quality storytelling in both traditional and emerging digital platforms-we're thrilled to be able to collaborate with Ruckus to raise the bar in children's digital content." Leading the 14-year old, award-winning FableVision Studios is FableVision's President and Executive Creative/Co-Founder Gary Goldberger. Goldberger observes, "This is FableVision's sweet spot -- designing best-in-class apps for new devices in rapidly changing markets. The Ruckus apps take the mobile storytelling experience to a whole new level."
The first five digital story apps draw from the award-winning Rabbit Ears Library and feature well-known classic children's stories told by top Hollywood celebrities, including Meryl Streep (reading The Velveteen Rabbit, illustrated by Dave Jorgenson with music by George Winston), John Cleese (reading Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table, illustrated by Tim Gabor with music by Elvis Costello), Robin Williams (reading Pecos Bill, illustrated by Tim Raglin with music by Ry Cooder),Denzel Washington (reading John Henry, illustrated by Barry Jackson with music by B.B. King), and Garrison Keillor (reading Johnny Appleseed, illustrated by Stan Fellows with music by Mark O'Connor). Each Play-Read-and-Record-Along application is available for $3.99 through Apple's iTunes App Store in 76 countries and includes a classic video, readable text story and the ability to record voices for personalized storytelling.
"We're excited to be able to work with FableVision to deliver wholesome, family-friendly entertainment to the global mobile market at a price-point that delivers an incredible amount of value," said Ruckus Media Group's COO Jim Young. RMG's CEO Rick Richter concurs, "Ruckus is out to build the next big global children's entertainment brand - having FableVision by our side, a nimble powerhouse of digital creative, design & technical talent, helps us leap frog over many of the offerings in this space."
Ruckus Mobile Media is currently developing Ruckus original digital titles with bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators, including Jon Scieszka,Rosemary Wells, Andrew Clements, Patricia MacLachlan and David Carter, among others, to create interactive works not possible within the pages of a printed book. The first two of these original titles, due next month, will be Andrew Answersby Alan Katz, author of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, andA Present for Milo by Mike Austin.
