iPhone/iPad/iPod ebook: How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon eBook App Woos Readers

Usually, I am one to tout the book over the movie, but in the case of How to Train Your Dragon, it is a toss-up. I loved both. It’s hard to choose because them because they are so different and yet each so well done.

In the case of the iPhone/iPad/iPod ebook app, How to Train Your Dragon is an illustrated synopsis of the movie. This app is well done with the same voice talent as the movie. I think this is a great application of a “book on tape” to encourage reluctant readers to read, particularly those who loved the movie. And I really like how the words light up as the narrators say the word which is excellent for learning to read.

AND, I’d take it one step further by encouraging the reader to read the book after playing on the app so that s/he can:

Compare and contrast.
What did you like better?
What was different?
Why do you think it’s different?
Do you think it would be hard to make movie from the book?
Would have changed the story?
Would it be different if the movie wasn’t animated?

If you are thinking about this book for a children’s book club selection, you could play the app and have a discussion around the differences between the book and the movie. Who liked what better? The book by Cressida Cowell is the first of a series and great for reluctant readers. There are illustrations scattered throughout the book to break up the text and the font is a decent size. I’d recommend it for grades 2-4.