Tag: Choose your adventure »

Treasure Kai and the Lost Gold of Shark Island brings me back to the “Choose Your Adventure” books I used to read with my kids. This ability to change order is one of the features that is so easy to do with an app, so I’m surprised that we don’t see more books for kids where they can cut from one part of the book to another depending on what door, or in this case which chest, they choose to open.

I always liked this type of “choose your own adventure” book, since children can make some of their own decisions on plot. Naturally, the readers eventually go through all of the different adventure permutations, but at their own pace and direction. This book was written by the Australia-based Treasure Bound Books, but Kai's accent is easy to understand. It’s a fun read, similar to an Indiana Jones movie, where there is always an adventure but, of course, he hero always gets free without being any worse for wear.

Typical of most e-book apps, this book has both a “read to me” and a self read” option, as well as being able to be read with or without an interactive mode. The interactivity includes a variety of sound effects and animations. At each chosen adventure, there is a different activity and poem on the problem that Kai faces. Because each time a path is chosen the result differs, hundreds of various storylines and experiences are presented. This allows for hours of creative education and entertainment. For kids who want to know more about the sites they see along the way, the Treasure Bound Book website includes additional information.

The story starts off with “Treasure Kai,” so named because of his love of searching for chests of gold, drifting to sleep as he dreams of his future adventures. Eight different chests are on the bottom of the screen. When one is tapped, the reader is whisked off to that escapade. The actual chest of gold may be found within the first couple of activities or, depending on random order, it may take several different chances. No matter: Instead of getting gold, the children are having fun. They may have to find the picture of the right snake in the maze, hide from head hunters or duck falling rock slides. Whatever the situation, imagination is encouraged. Two new apps, The Seven Cities of Gold, and King Tut’s Treasure, are on their way.

Have fun going on an adventure with your son or daughter or watching your children read along on their own and enjoy the challenges they face along the way.