In this world of technology there are literally millions of apps in the different markets all trying to grab our attention and get themselves seen. I have three kids so finding just the right app especially when it isn’t free is very important to me because I am not a fan of wasting money on an app that will never get touched. Recently I was told about an awesome app called Storybook Maker. At first I was a little hesitant like I am with every new app but after playing with it for a few hours with Shae this app is a huge hit and we love it.
Storybook Maker by Merge Mobile is an app that will allow you and your kids to unleash your creativity and make things like short stories, picture books, photo collages, scrap books and vacation albums. Shae and I spent a few hours last night making her master piece. I am not sure if I would call it a short story but it’s very family oriented and includes pictures of our family. The app is very and I mean very easy to use and self explanatory. I added the different pictures that Shae wanted but she typed what she wanted to say about each picture. I did need to help her with spelling but she is only 5 so that is to be expected but other than that she did most of the work with very little help from me.
Shae and I used the photo option (photos I already had on my iPad) in Storybook Maker but each page can be fully customized to include: custom recorded audio, backgrounds and borders, paintings from our intuitive paint tools, text including many fonts and type options, sticker objects from a massive built in library (NO IN APP PURCHASES NECESSARY!) and photos from your photo album. What I learned last night while playing with this app is that the possibilities are endless because there are so many different features and options that you can create just about anything you want.
Once you are done creating your masterpiece you have three different ways to share it with the world: publish your book as a PDF and email it to everyone you know, publish your book as a Multi-Media book and share it with the world and publish your book to their public library to share with all users of Storybook maker around the world.
I think these would make for really special gifts for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and end of year of a teacher’s gift. Send this post along to your room mom and get started on pictures of the class and gathering quotes from all the kids.
If you are looking for an iPad app that will keep your kids busy but also allow you to spend quality time with them making awesome books you need to get Storybook Maker from the Apple App store for $4.99. Trust me when I say this app is worth every bit of $4.99.
I am very far from being any kind of artist. I’m more of what one would call a crafter. Sabreena on the other hand is the artist and every year we head to the supply stores to stock up on basics and other “ingredients” for projects. Artistry isn’t a very mobile hobby though. What happens when inspiration strikes in the car or visiting the grandparents?
My kids love electronics, they are always asking for my phone, the teens iPod, our iPad or their laptop. I don’t mind letting them play sometimes but I panic when it comes to them handling the actual devices. See, the little one already broke a Nintendo DS by dropping it repeatedly so I’m leary with giving her the iPad especially. I turned to Otterbox and asked for the best 
Goby.com is an 
Using their Family Fun feature is the easiest way to find the things closest to you and in a specified time frame. If your weekendis open just choose “this weekend” and you’ll get a list of things that are on-going and exclusive for those days. Date Night is another cool reason to use Goby.com. Visit a cool winery or jazz club that is running a special on drinks.
