The iOS educational app provides interactive learning components to encourage children to embrace individuality.

Cologne, Germany, November 12, 2014 — Discover the magic of bombardier beetles in Little Luna – Big Talent, Bastei Entertainment’s newest addition to their portfolio of mobile applications. Designed for children ages 4 to 8, this delightful interactive story teaches children about the importance of embracing their own individuality.

The story of Little Luna begins with a lesson on a bombardier beetle’s special talent – tooting! While typically bombardier beetles use tooting as a defense mechanism in the wild, for Luna and her family it is a way to express themselves. Children will enjoy following along with Luna as she introduces each of her family members and the unique ways in which they utilize their talents.

Through fun mini games like practicing toot target-shooting with her dad, doing yoga with her mom, and matching musical melodies with her brothers, the story of Little Luna and her family encourages children to pursue their own special talents even if it sets them apart from others. Additionally, the app’s interactive activities promote concentration, musical expression, and coordination.

“Little Luna was designed not only to teach children about bombardier beetles, but also to allow children to embrace and cherish the qualities that make them unique,” says Sabrina Glodde, project manager for Bastei Entertainment. “With the help of our entire team, we were able to make an engaging app to celebrate children for the individuals they are.”

Features of Little Luna – Big Talent include:

•     Interactive storybook with games and more!
•     Simple navigation for a smooth-running interface.
•     Beautifully designed with delightful music to match.
•     Timer for parents to monitor a child’s screen time.
•     Designed for preschoolers and elementary school aged children.
•     Narration in English, Mandarin Chinese, and German.
•     No in-app purchases.

Little Luna – Big Talent is available for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.

Video trailer: http://youtu.be/KRQrU_nCPqU

About Bastei Entertainment:
Founded in 2010, Bastei Entertainment is the digital department of parent company Bastei Lübbe AG, a leading German trade publisher home to famed authors David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Jeff Kinney, Ken Follett, Lesley Pearse and many more. Dedicated to the development of new innovative products and global digital entertainment, Bastei Entertainment’s in-house development team continuously creates unique multi-media content which translates the written world into digital works such as eBooks, mobile applications and other digitally enhanced products.

For additional information about Bastei Entertainment, please visit the company website at http://www.basteientertainment.com/.

Land tricks, collect power-ups and avoid a wipe out in this addictive, turbo charged surf adventure.

Melbourne, Australia – Gamers, surfers, and retro arcade junkies alike are invited to ride the virtual waves of Surfy, an all-new endless-runner from the Australian app development studio DreamWalk Interactive. Surfy is DreamWalk Interactive’s latest independent mobile game following the very successful launch of their top-rated music app Jam for iPhone.

With simple two-finger controls Surfy is a fast paced and strongly addictive ride reminiscent of 8bit classics such as California Games. The ride begins when players are dropped into a wave by helicopter. Players must then stay ahead of the break while navigating exotic locations, performing tricks and collecting power-ups to compete for a spot on the leaderboard.

From surviving violent tropical thunderstorms to performing radical aerial stunts into outer space, surfers rack up points and coins when achievements are unlocked and tricks are landed. Coins are redeemable in the ‘Surf Shop’ for upgraded boards and power-ups for invincibility, gravity-defying jumps, power boosts and more. Click here to view the trailer for Surfy.

“We wanted to put a modern twist on a classic genre,” says Sam Russell, head of development at DreamWalk. “We hope gamers find Surfy as addictive and fun as the games that inspired us to make it.”

Features of Surfy include:

• Simple controls: Only two fingers needed for success!
• Crazy tricks: Bounce off whales, get thrown by tornados, perform mega-spins, defy gravity to reach Mars, ride the tube and heaps more!
• Earn coins: Find treasure chests and challenge friends to earn coins, then hit the ‘Surf Shop’ to redeem them for power-ups and radical new boards.
• Multiplayer mode: Surfing is even more fun with friends! Challenge a pal to a surf-off.
• Global Leaderboard: Move up the rankings as you compete with the best in the World.

Surfy is available now on the iTunes App Store for free.

About DreamWalk Interactive:
DreamWalk is a boutique app studio based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded by brothers, Joe and Sam Russell in 2008 with the development the world’s first commercial GPS treasure-hunting app, also called DreamWalk. DreamWalk’s most recent game, Jam for iPhone, reached #1 on the App Store music app charts in 26 countries, was featured in dozens of publications and showcased at SXSW 2013.http://www.dreamwalk.com.au/

There’s no denying how much we love apps, but we especially love apps for kids that are not only fun, but also educational. Apps claim to make learning fun, develop important skills, and give kids a head start on learning, but are they actually helpful to your child’s learning? In short — yes! A recent study commissioned by developer Motion Math suggests that significant learning can occur with the right apps. They can improve test scores as well as change a child’s attitude toward a subject. According to researcher Dr. Kate Highfield, quality apps can enhance learning incredibly, specifically when dealing with practicing specific skills or encouraging the child to create their own ideas and communicate in new ways. Quality apps can be like digital blank piece of paper, leaving room for the child to make or do anything with them. When used correctly and in combination with traditional mediums like books, apps do have a place in your little ones growth and development and are much more than a simple distraction device. Check out a few quality apps we love listed below.

1. Fun with Colors
Recommended for kids 2 to 5
$2.99, no in-app purchases
We love the adorable animations and interactions this app offers to its young users. It’s refreshing to see a new approach to experiencing the world of colors. What truly makes this app special is it’s teaching through storytelling that’s easy to follow. This app encourages creativity by allowing the user to create their own images, and this is what makes it such a quality app. Rather than limiting what a child can do on the app, it gives them the freedom to create their very own masterpieces. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here, or for Android here.

2. Freefall Spelling
Recommended for kids 4 and up
$1.99, no in-app purchases
We enjoy the many different options the user can choose from when practicing their spelling, and it’s definitely encouraging to see that Freefall Spelling won a Parents’ Choice Award. What makes this app amazing is the option to enter your child’s own spelling list from school. We love when our little ones stay motivated, so what better way than by the apps use of the reward system. For spelling a correct word, a fish is rewarded for their virtual tank. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

3. Marble Math Junior
Recommended for kids 6 to 8
$2.99, no in-app purchases
We applaud this app for challenging its little users to solve math problems and recognize numbers in a fun way! Their little hands will be able to guide their marble through fun mazes that will make learning enjoyable. Being based on the Common Core Curriculum makes this app worth checking out. Marble Math Junior has been widely recognized, winning the 2013 Parents’ Choice Award and Common Sense Media 2013 ON for Learning Award. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

4. BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week
Recommended for kids 6 to 8
Free, no in-app purchases
We love that this great app gives kids lots to think about —some of its video content may be challenging, but it’s definitely interesting and explained in a manner your youngsters will understand. They’ll learn something new each week with a different animated video. You can even test what they’ve seen though related quizzes and educational activities. The gentle, humorous, and relatable characters serve as guides through each topic, empowering your child to form their own ideas. Plus, the app has no in-app purchases, which protects your own wallet while your kids use the app. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here, or for Android here.

5. Britannica Kids: U.S. Presidents
Recommended for kids 6 and up
$1.99, no in-app purchases
We appreciate how this app makes it easy for kids to learn about America’s history, with concise information and fun facts provided for each president. It makes learning about each president much more interesting and entertaining. It truly brings the Oval Office into your living room and makes it enjoyable for not just your child, but also the whole family to learn something new about their favorite president, or quiz each other. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here.

Jessica Egan is a music, social media, and Disneyland enthusiast who currently attends UC Davis and looks forward to a career in either public relations and marketing.

Bastei Entertainment brings Laura’s Journey to the Stars to iOS and Android.

Cologne, Germany, May 6, 2014 – Bastei Entertainment brings a new story from Klaus Baumgart’s bestselling “Laura’s Star” picture book series to the mobile market with the interactive children’s storybook app, Laura’s Journey to the Stars, now available for iOS and Android devices.

Recommended for children age’s two to five, Laura’s Journey to the Stars tells the story of Laura and her little brother Tommy as they blast off into a world of imagination in search of a star! This sweet story of love and friendships is brought to life with easy-to-follow narration (available in English, Mandarin and German), interactive animations, fun sound effects, and casual mini games including ‘Match the Sock’ and ‘Whack an Alien.’

With over 7.5 million books in the “Laura’s Star” series sold worldwide, Laura’s Journey to the Stars is the fourth book in the “Laura’s Star” series to enter the app market.

“We developed the idea for the Laura’s Journey to the Stars app in collaboration with the author and illustrator Klaus Baumgart,” says Sabrina Glodde, project manager for Bastei Entertainment. “We realized if we wanted the story to reach a larger audience, we needed to use all media channels to do so. The development team was inspired by movies, television and games. And of course, by watching their own children play with apps and seeing what features they enjoyed most.”

Features of Laura’s Journey to the Stars includes:

• Beautifully drawn illustrations by the popular children’s book illustrator Klaus Baumgart
• More than 80 animated scenes, clever sound effects, and engaging mini games
• Captivating narration by native speakers in three languages: English, German, and Mandarin Chinese
• Intuitive, child-friendly controls
• Social media sharing, volume and language controls, and library panel accessible via the title page’s teddy bear
• No in-app purchases

Laura’s Journey to the Stars is available now for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store, Google Play Store, Samsung App Market, and Amazon Appstore.

For additional information on Laura’s Journey to the Stars, including the press kit and screen shots visit:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7l8ruq1xbei158u/ZD32VTYdFj.

About Bastei Entertainment:
Founded in 1953 and based in Cologne, Bastei Lübbe is one of Germany’s leading trade publishers. Home of bestselling authors David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Jeff Kinney, Ken Follett, Lesley Pearse and many more; it publishes more than 700 titles a year. In June 2010, Bastei Lübbe started its own digital department: Bastei Entertainment with the aim of encouraging new innovative product development and the creation of a global digital entertainment experience which covers everything from eBooks to apps and digitally enhanced products. With an in-house development team, unique multimedia content is continuously created with recent examples including Cotton FBI, which reinvents the hugely popular Jerry Cotton novels, first published in 1954, with over one billion copies sold in Germany alone. http://www.luebbe.de/

Publications International, Ltd. is proud to team up with Sesame Workshop for the release of iCookbook 3.1, featuring a new collection of recipes for kids and their parents: Sesame Street’s Silly Snacks. This special recipe collection, available exclusively as part of iCookbook(TM), offers parents and children a hands-on way to cook together and learn about healthy snacking with the help of Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and other Sesame Street friends.

Chicago, Illinois – Publications International, Ltd. is proud to team up with Sesame Workshop for the release of iCookbook(TM) 3.1, featuring a new collection of recipes for kids and their parents: Sesame Street’s Silly Snacks. This special recipe collection, available exclusively as part of iCookbook(TM), offers parents and children a hands-on way to cook together and learn about healthy snacking with the help of Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and other Sesame Street(R) friends. Each recipe includes parent tips, fun facts, and cooking steps designed just for kids.

The 20-recipe collection, available for $2.99, includes snacks of all types, like Oscar’s SCRAM-bled Egg & Zucchini Pie and Big Bird’s Little Nests. Even the pickiest eaters will find something to love.

In addition to the Sesame Street collection, iCookbook 3.1 features more than 2,100 recipes hand-picked by the iCookbook(TM) team of food experts and accredited nutritionists, giving everyday cooks an easy way to navigate and discover a wide variety of accessible and affordable meal options for their family.

This updated version of iCookbook(TM) is also filled with user-friendly features that help streamline the entire cooking process including advanced filters and sorting to search for recipes based by theme, ingredient, cuisine, brand (Hershey’s(R), Campbell’s(R), Crock-Pot(R) etc.), voice-command technology to advance a recipe’s instructions completely hands-free, create shopping lists, watch how-to videos, even access articles, conversion charts, measurement tools and more. Each month, iCookbook owners can also download more free recipes to add to the app, as well as purchase themed premium recipe collections like the Sesame Street Silly Snacks Collection via the iCookbook in-app store.

“Helping families find easy ways to enjoy eating healthy is a core mission of Sesame Workshop, so we are very pleased to partner with Publications International to bring a selection of good-for-you snacks to families who use digital cookbooks,” said Jennifer A. Perry, Sesame Workshop’s Vice President of Worldwide Publishing. “The iCookbook Silly Snacks collection is our first app that specifically seeks to provide parents and children a fun way to cook healthy together.”

iCookbook featuring Sesame Street Silly Snacks is available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch at iTunes.

Publications International, Ltd. has previously worked with Sesame Workshop(R) to publish a number of print cookbooks, sound books, and storybooks .

For more information about iCookbook and its family of white-label cooking applications including iCookbook Diabetic, CROCK-POT(TM) Recipes, Butterball(R) Cookbook Plus, Johnsonville(R) Kitchens and more please visit iCookbook online.

About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 150 countries, and other acclaimed shows including The Electric Company, to help bridge the literacy gap. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and resilience. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at Sesame Workshop online.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5, iPod touch (3rd/4th/5th generation), and iPad
* Requires iOS 4.3 or later
* Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
* 50.2 MB

Pricing and Availability:
iCookbook 3.1 is $4.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Food & Drink category.

Publications International
Sesame Workshop
iCookbook 3.1
Purchase and Download
Screenshot
App Icon

Publications International, Ltd. (PIL) is one of North America’s leading publishers of cookbooks, with more than 400 active cookbook titles and more than 50 recipe magazine releases annually. PIL’s award winning iCookbook(TM) platform is available on Windows, Apple and Android devices. Copyright (C) 2013 Publications International, LTD. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Seattle, Washington – This Thanksgiving, Smash Your Food becomes a staple at the dinner table. Combining the entertainment of an after dinner food fight with nutrition education resulting in a revolutionary iPhone app the whole family will enjoy. In an ongoing effort to bring awareness and action to the issue of childhood obesity, Smash Your Food incorporates our holiday favorites into a fridge packed full of messy surprises.

“We know that kids and adults tend to overeat during the holidays, starting at Thanksgiving. After playing with the foods in the new Thanksgiving fridge, we’re hoping that kids will think twice about over-filling their plates. Most importantly, we want them to learn about healthy alternatives for the foods they often over indulge in.” adds Marta De Wulf, Nutritionist and Co-Founder of Food N’ Me.

The app provides players with collections of fridges ranging from Messy Breakfast to Sweet Surprises and 10 others including the latest Thanksgiving feast where a wide variety of foods are waiting to be smashed. Choose from a surprise turkey cake, an entire stuffed bird or to a full Thanksgiving Day meal, then watch as shocking amounts of sugar, salt and oil are revealed! The personalized, educational component flows easily, allowing players to compare these foods to their allowances. Smash Your Food is full of in game achievements, tips and challenges to help educate children on the importance of eating healthy while providing players with endless entertainment.

Key Features:
* Pick and choose from a range of fridges & look for the latest holiday fridge
* Creative nutrition tips after every smash
* Earn achievements, accept healthy challenges and unlock new fridges packed with foods
* High definition video & vivid sound effects
* Crazy Food! for even messier splats
* Personalized nutrition tips and advice emailed to parents as children play and learn
* A compelling, fun way for children to get important health information, and – there’s no mess to clean up

Device Requirements:
* Compatible with iPad
* Requires iOS 5.0 or later
* 35.4 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Smash Your Food 1.1 is Free and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Education category.

Food N’ Me was created for families interested in helping to guide their children toward a healthier future. Food N’ Me informs and engages families through personalized games, healthy apps, practical tools and positive feedback. Food N’ Me is based on the children nutrition program Marta De Wulf taught to thousands of elementary school students. Copyright (C) 2012 Food N’ Me. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Montreal, Canada – From the developers behind Minnie Bow Maker and Dora’s Ballet Adventure, Budge Studios announces the launch of Chuggington Traintastic Adventures, a train set adventure app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, now available on the App Store.

Based on the popular show Chuggington(TM) which airs weekdays on Disney Junior, Disney Channel’s programming block for kids ages 2-7 and their families, and daily on the new 24-hour Disney Junior cable and satellite channel, this virtual train set invites children ages 3-8 to explore Chuggington in an interactive adventure on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

With the unique path drawing gameplay, children help chuggers accomplish various quests within an adventure pack by solving problems along the way. The additional Build and Play mode allows players to customize the world by adding buildings, interactive rail items and the ability to upgrade and personalize their trains with exciting accessories.

“With this app, kids get to be creative, learn and play in a dynamic way unlike any traditional train set,” adds Creative Director, Michael Elman.

“Budge Studios is a leader in developing eye-catching, educational and entertaining apps targeted to preschoolers,” said Megan Buecher, Director of Licensing, Ludorum. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with them on our newest Chuggington app.”

Chuggington Traintastic Adventures is filled with endless entertainment, eye-catching 3D animation, character voiceover and even features short clips from actual episodes as players make their way though each of the adventure packs. Players can also visit their collection to see what items have been completed and find additional quests within the four adventure packs available in the app.

About Ludorum PLC:
Ludorum was co-founded and is managed by Rob Lawes (CEO)and formerly CEO of HIT Entertainment PLC which managed a strong portfolio of children’s properties including Bob the Builder(TM), Barney(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM), Pingu(TM) and Guinness World Records(R), and by Dick Rothkopf (Chairman) and the co-founder and former CEO of Learning Curve, International, the company that held toy licenses for Thomas & Friends and other preschool properties. Ludorum is dedicated to developing, building, acquiring and marketing global intellectual entertainment properties.

About Chuggington:
Chuggington is a CGI-animated series that follows the adventures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko, trainee engines, each with their own unique personality and learning style. The series is set in a world much like our own with cities, villages and diverse cultures and geography. Entertainment and enjoyment are at the heart of Chuggington, but embedded within each story are important educational and developmental messages centered on learning and social-emotional development. Chuggington is directed by Sarah Ball, who won a BAFTA award for her work as a director and writer of Bob the Builder(TM).

Device Requirements:
* 3/4/5 Gen iPhone, iPad, or 3/4/5 Gen iPod touch
* Requires iOS 4.3 or later
* Universal app optimized for display on all iOS devices
* 337 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Chuggington Traintastic Adventures 1.0 is $3.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.

Budge Studios is a leading publisher and developer of interactive children’s books, games, and digital toys for multiple platforms including touch devices and tablet computers. Located in Montreal, Budge creates dynamic and engaging products that are both entertaining and educational for millions of children all over the world. Focused specifically on producing content for kids, Budge Studios is working together with the industry’s top licensors and toy companies. Copyright (C) 2012 Budge Studios. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Popular Kids App, Lola’s Math Train Releases Lite Version

BeiZ releases lite version of worldwide kids app Lola’s Math Train with self adjusting difficulty levels

Lola’s Math Train, the 5th Lola Panda app developed by BeiZ, is now available in a lite version to download for free! Designed to help improve math skills for children ages 3-7 years old, Lola’s Math Train Lite is available on the iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire and Android devices.

Lola the panda introduces children to over 15 different basic math games that challenge them to complete various equations like addition, subtraction, solving puzzles, shapes, sequencing and matching.

New to the suite of Lola Panda apps, BeiZ has added technology that allows the game to self adjust in difficulty depending on the success or needs of the child. As they do better, the questions get harder and if more practice is needed the game will remain at the level until it’s achieved. At the end of each game the results are shown in an overall rating scale to assess how the child has done which allows for parents to see the achievements of their kids within the game.

“With the exciting characters, interactive games and friendly environment we’ve seen a great response from players and are excited to launch the lite version for all available devices,” adds Mika Heikinheimo, CEO of BeiZ.

Lola’s Math Train Lite is available on the App Store, Google Play Store and Amazon Kindle Market for Kindle Fire by searching Lola Panda.

About BeiZ:
BeiZ Ltd is a game studio that concentrates on providing enjoyable educational solutions and non-violent games for children and adults. BeiZ also assists its partners in publishing their games and mobile content.

For Press Inquiries, please contact,
Paige Kirchubel
Appency for BeiZ, Ltd.
paige(at)appency(dot)com

Lola’s Math Train Lite PressKit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kghctsv59o3io7o/97YD8VBk5W
Lola’s Math Train: http://www.beiz.com/lola6.html
Purchase & Download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lolas-math-train-lite-fun/id529720159?l=fi&ls=1&mt=8

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BeiZ Launches Children’s App That’ll Keep Kids Sharp Over Summer

Lola’s Math Train now available on the App Store and Google Play

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Tribal Nova Launches Suite of Early Childhood Learning Apps for iPad

i Learn With App Series Now Available on the App Store

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