Bean has her window for sitting, her ball for chasing, her whole world just as she likes it. Then in comes Baby. The story of how the two get acquainted is told in spare one or two word phrases which, in “read to me” mode, highlight as they are read by the young narrator, helping the child associate the sound of the word with the printed text. Even the youngest will soon be able to “read it myself.” Gentle animations enhance the story and most are repeatable on touch. Set it for auto-play and the toddler can enjoy the story from beginning to end, and then hit the button to read the story “again”… and “again.”

The frisky black cat continues her playful antics in two more apps Bean's Games and Bean's Night. Well loved by toddlers and their parents when published as board books these small adventures are now reborn as apps to delight a new generation. As books Bean (now Bean's Baby) was on the Children's Television Networks Recommended Reading List for 0-3, Bean's Games was an ALA Notable Book, and all three were Book-of-the-Month-Club featured selections.

Sarah Hines-Stephens wrote the books to welcome her first nephew and has since gone on to publish many titles for children. Anna Grossnickle Hines, author and illustrator of numerous books already, was thrilled to join forces with her daughter and create the colored pencil illustrations for this trio of books to honor her first grandson. Anna scanned the original drawings, digitally separated, and enhanced them for the apps. Grandpa, Gary Hines, recorded granddaughter Violet Grace Stephens as the narrator, and did all the sound work as well as programming in Kwik making the creation of the Bean's Baby app a truly family affair.


*Simple one or two word phrases tell the story
*Interactions are simple and fun—just enough for little ones
*Playful musical enhancements and sound effects
*Autoplay lets child enjoy the story from beginning to end, then touch a button to play, “Again!”
*Read-to-me highlighting helps make connection between printed and spoken words
*Read-it-myself for optimal sharing and reading practice
*No hot links, ads, in-app purchases, push notifications, or data collecting!
Safe and fun for kids and parents!