Los Angeles-based virtual and augmented reality innovator Within has announced that its entire catalog of interactive stories designed for the popular children’s reading app Wonderscope will be free for the remainder of the school year while kids continue to learn from home. The award-winning app uses AR to encourage children to read aloud as they adventure alongside a range of playful, diverse and confidence-building characters.
“Our goal is to provide children with entertaining interactive stories that harness the power of imagination to cultivate learning,” said Within’s executive producer of original content, Samantha Storr of Wonderscope. “As we adjust to daily life inside our homes, we hope the free stories will make reading time a little more dynamic and joyful for kids around the world.”
Downloadable to any iOS device, and an ideal tool for parents teaching kids at home, Wonderscope stories invite children ages 6 and up into a virtual world of colorful and engaging characters who instill valuable lessons while encouraging kids to practice reading aloud. Wonderscope’s “Look At” feature enables characters to make eye contact with children, and voice recognition allows kids at any reading level to enjoy the app.
Wonderscope was awarded Best Learning App at the 2020 Kids Screen Awards and in 2019 won a Children’s BAFTA for its inaugural story, A Brief History of Stunts by Astounding People. WIRED magazine called Wonderscope, “the future of AR education,” in praise of its story, Clio’s Cosmic Quest, which teaches kids about star formation by vaulting them through the solar system. The app currently holds a four-star rating from Common Sense Media.
Wonderscope is free and comes pre-loaded with Clio’s Cosmic Quest. All additional stories are now available free for download, and no credit card is required. Stories are regularly priced at $4.99. Designed for iOS using Apple’s ARKit, the app and all stories are compatible with the following devices running on iOS 11 or newer: iPhone 6S or newer, 2017 iPad or newer and iPad Pro.
All stories are listed below:
A Brief History of Stunts by Astounding People: Take part in three of history’s most impossible stunts and meet the real people that made them happen.
Wonder’s Land Ringmaster Wanted: Meet Wonder, the Ringmaster of Wonder’s Land, who gives you a tour of the nonsensical world he calls home.
Little Red the Inventor: Become Red’s imaginary friend and help her show the Big Bad Wolf how strong her voice can be.
Clio’s Cosmic Quest: Step into a space portal and explore amazing facts about our solar system.
Lauren and the Three Bears: Lauren has been tasked with filling in for Goldilocks. There’s only one problem: Goldilocks didn’t tell her anything about the plot!
Willowcrest Manor: In this story, kids play the house ghost, as Godfrey — the ghost butler — teaches kids how to haunt and spook.
Sinclair Snake: Kids search for the notorious Sinclair Snake while exploring a natural history museum, solving puzzles and learning fun facts along the way.
