Website of the Week: MobiStories

With books that come alive, MobiStories is a great way to motivate reluctant elementary-age readers by providing a non-traditional form of books in your home with virtual versions. MobiStories provides downloadable stories for ages 1-10. The books you purchase play on your full screen and have delightful illustrations to accompany the text.

Selecting books is simple: choose an age range (1-6, 4-8, or 6-10), click on a book, see and hear an excerpt of the story on your computer, and either add to your cart or continue shopping. Books range in price from $2.99 and up and the site features free downloadable stories too.

My only criticism is that I wish that the words were highlighted as they were being read. Seeing each word appear in a different color as it is being read, allows children to make the connection between written words and spoken words, which is so critical in developing a strong sight word vocabulary for beginning readers.

Regardless, MobiStories is a great way to provide more books in your home. MobiStories creators don’t think that their site “should replace a parent hugging a child and reading a book together” and designed their site to give kids another way to read.

Tech Savvy Mama readers can download $10 worth of MobiStories for free by entering the code 231A. This offer may only be redeemed in one sitting and also expires on December 31st, 2008. Click here for directions on how to use the coupon code.