Humans have evolved around the world as storytellers. This culture has passed on from generation to generation. Now in the digital generation, the new website, utales.com, keeps this tradition alive. As described in a video on their website utales.com is:
“A new world of digital books for kids. A world you can access anytime, anywhere. We’re simply trying to make the world better for kids one story at a time.”
This site, founded by Nils von Heijne, enables authors and illustrators to upload their children's books to the site and allows the public to access them. The authors can choose to keep their profits from the books or donate them to Pencils of Promise to build schools in developing countries. It really is a win-win for children everywhere.
There are currently 148 books and counting found on this site. These books can be accessed from a computer, ipad and iphone with apps coming soon for android. The books are organized by language, age group and category. Some stories such as, The Little Gingerbread Man and The Ugly Duckling, use animation and sound, utilizing the digital platform more fully without taking away from the experience of reading. Many of the books have terrific messages for kids. There are books about being yourself such as I Can't Hear You! I Can't See You! There are books that encourage children to be healthy such as How Lilly Ate the Rainbow and Super Me. There are books about new siblings such as My Little Brother and Miles Smiles. Many of the books have amazing illustrations and animations that will encourage children to read and inspire creativity.
As with everything on the internet parents should supervise their children on this site. Although the books are approved to be safe by an editorial panel, especially because some of what is found on the site is original and unique material, a parent may want to preview the books before their child reads them.
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