eBook App Builds Skills For Empathy
Sacramento, CA (December 22, 2016) – RedRover, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Sacramento, California, released an eBook app, The Restricted Adventures of Raja, for kids ages 7 to 11 earlier this year. Now it competes with two other apps for “Best eBook” of the year, having been nominated by Kidscreen. The interactive graphic novel eBook app uses curriculum from the highly successful RedRover Readers program that builds the foundational skills necessary for empathy. The app includes English and Spanish language options, as well as a game to help kids practice what they’ve learned. The app is available to download for free in iTunes and Google Play. Final awards will be announced Tuesday, February 14, during the Kidscreen Summit 2017.
The Restricted Adventures of Raja is the first digital eBook from the RedRover Readers program, and the second eBook will be released soon. The story begins in the year 2050. Earth has become a dreadful place that lacks kindness and is full of animals with no homes and people who are angry and lonely. Raja, a very special warrior from another world, has been sent on a Warrior Mission that gets interrupted when he’s suddenly compelled to instead help a lonely Earth boy. The only problem is that when Raja arrives on Earth, he discovers that he has been transformed into a domestic Earth cat and is filled with fear! The Restricted Adventures of Raja follows the journey of this warrior. To complete his mission, Raja must make decisions based on observing the behavior and emotions of others. By reading along and playing the Animal Watch game, readers will begin learning how they can understand and respond to animals and people based on their behaviors, a skill that is key to developing empathy and social-emotional awareness.
The app has also been certified with a 5-star rating by the Educational App Store.
The innovative RedRover Readers program has already helped kids understand the behavior and emotions of animals and has changed attitudes and behaviors towards animals across the continent. RedRover is bringing the program into more classrooms and homes, using everyday mobile technology that will make navigating emotional states and learning empathy skills easy and fun for kids — and their parents and teachers.
The app was developed in partnership with Sticky Brain Studios.
About RedRover
Founded in 1987, RedRover helps animals and people in crisis and strengthens relationships between people and pets. RedRover provides emergency veterinary and boarding assistance for low-income individuals and domestic violence victims and temporarily shelters animals rescued from natural disasters or criminal cruelty seizures. In 2007, RedRover launched the RedRover Readers program to train educators how to use specially selected books and curriculum to challenge and inspire elementary school children to better understand the emotional states of animals and to think about how they want to treat others. In 2015, RedRover was awarded the coveted 4-Star Charity rating from Charity Navigator.
About Sticky Brain Studios
Based in Toronto, Canada, Sticky Brain Studios is a digital media production company dedicated to creating amazing experiences. The team gathers talented craftspeople together to make innovative content for brands, agencies and networks.
About Kidscreen
Kidscreen is the leading international trade publication serving the informational needs and interests of kids entertainment professionals. Published eight times a year, the magazine’s editorial content provides comprehensive analysis of the news, issues, trends, market shifts and opportunities having an impact on all sectors of the business, including TV production, distribution & programming, licensing & retail, marketing & promotions, gaming & digital media, feature films, home entertainment and publishing. Kidscreen Awards, the annual competition honors the best work in children’s television and digital media.
Media Contact
Nicole Forsyth
President and CEO
nforsyth@redrover.org
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