Thank goodness there are so many different ways to experience the magic of Alice in Wonderland. There is the original chapter book plus many, many variations at all different reading levels. There are several movies. And now there is an ebook app, Alicewinks.
Why is Alice in Wonderland so important compared to other classic children’s books? Just think about all the cultural references that are part of our vernacular that originate from this book.
Mad as a hatter.
Grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Down the rabbit hole.
But not all kids, including mine, are ready to tackle the full length original chapter book. It’s a thick tome, after all.
Alice in Wonderland ebook to Celebrate Alice’s 150th Anniversary
Instead, we used Alicewinks to get a multimedia video ebook experience. Yes, that’s a mouthful. But what it is exactly is beautiful illustrations from the time when the book was published — early 20th century — with simple animation and professional voice talent narrating Lewis Carroll’s unabridged text.
My 8-year-old, who doesn’t really like art museums, was entranced. I think it was the video animation that caught and held his attention. He especially liked the crazy Queen of Hearts and her game of croquet.
I like that Alicewinks exposes him to not just the story but those classic old-time-y illustrations. It’s like a visit to an art museum and a trip to the library back in time simultaneously.
There is something to simple animation as well. Because the eye is relatively quiet, the viewer focuses instead on the story. And the voice over talent is superb! The actors really do bring the story to life.
Even if I read the story aloud, I can’t do the different voices for the cast of characters and there are so many great and distinctly memorable characters that it’s wonderful to give them each their own voice personality.
Alicewinks is also award-winning. In May of 2013, Alicewinks was awarded the prestigious Kirkus Star, reserved for books of “exceptional merit.”
Have you read any version of Alice in Wonderland with your kids? What is your favorite part?
p.s. Here’s some interesting Alice in Wonderland Trivia that I found.
Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz was his attempt to make an American Alice in Wonderland.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein has a poem “Alice” in praise of Alice’s bravery.
Lolita author Valdimir Nobokov did what is considered to be the finest Alice in Wonderland translation into Russian.
In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland, Alicewinks brings the story’s classic illustrations to life for digital audiences through animated video and rich narration. To download this one-of-a-kind eBook, visit iTunes.com/alicewinks
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Alicewinks. The opinions and text are all mine.