by Andrea Updyke posted in Products & Prizes

With two children in elementary school, I'm always looking for new ways to encourage reading as a fun and engaging pastime. If you have a reluctant reader, it can be hard to find engaging ways to get them interested in books, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to learn about Amazon Rapids, the brand new subscription based reading app for kids. With hundreds of stories in the app and dozens more being added each month, kids have plenty of options when looking for great content. Michael Robinson, Director of Consumer Products, Amazon Education, walked me through the app step by step and I have to say I am pretty impressed!
The coolest thing about Amazon Rapids is the way each story unfolds. It's no secret that many kids are already tech-savvy when it comes to using devices. That's why Amazon Rapids stories are told in a chat-style format. Characters appear to be texting each other and kids can advance the story one tap at a time at their own pace.
Each story is fun and age appropriate for kids age 7-12. And many of the books are written by teachers who know how to keep the younger generation engaged and laughing. Kids can choose from topics like adventure, fantasy, humor, mystery, science fiction and sports. One of my favorite features is the ability to define and hear the pronunciation of unfamiliar words so not only are my boys reading, but they are also increasing their vocabula...