Apple creates sign language version of children's book on iPad for deaf kids

From The NY Times Gadegetwise blog:

With its color screen and ability to run multiple applications, Apple’s iPad holds great promise for creating multimedia work that can redefine the nature of a book.

One new attempt to do so is “Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy (pictured),” an iPad version of the well-received children’s book that brings to it what the publisher, iStoryTime, says is a first: an iPad book complete with sign language for deaf children.

The $3 app offers three versions of this charmingly illustrated work: one that children can read themselves, one that would be read to them and one signed by a woman who stands off to the side of the screen, with the reduced-size book running next to her.

The signed version is actually a QuickTime movie, which can be paused by the user. The woman signing stands against a black background, her movements flowing flawlessly as the book is read aloud by an off-camera narrator.

While young children with hearing problems will no doubt be pleased to have this feature, this app is just a rough first concept of what can be done with electronic books.

The narrated version is read aloud by one voice. No alternative voices are available. The sound of the ocean greets the reader at the first page of the story, but every other page is without effects. Nor are there any sound effects in the silent version meant to be read aloud by a child or parent.

The story can be paused and picked up where left off, but if you put the iPad to sleep or switch to another application, the book reverts back to the first page. Unlike traditional iBooks, there is no bookmark to pick up where you left off. Instead, you need to swipe through page after page to get back to where you stopped.

You can also change various preferences while reading, by tapping a small icon in the upper left. But when you’re done, a glitch in the software takes you to a blank screen instead of back to where you left off.

The iPad’s luminous LCD screen really helps the lovely illustrations shine. But when it comes to redefining what a book can be, “Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy” does not move the bar.