What is the best way of making an illustrated children's book?

canpolat · 04-29-2014, 12:30 PM

Hi,

All my library is in ePub format and I'm very happy with it. But, I want to try creating a children's book for fun and I'm not sure ePub would be the best format. Here is why:

It will be a illustrated color book for 4-6 years olds. And instead of targeting e-ink devices, I want to develop something for tablets (apparently kids know how use tablets). But I'm not sure how to start, what tools to use, etc. I want it to show up as an app instead of a book in a library...

Should I start with creating an ePub, or are there other ways of converting HTML content to an Android app (that's my initial target)? I guess there are some specialized tools for this kind of content generation, but my Google searches didn't return much insight (perhaps I don't know the correct keywords).

So, what is the best way of making an illustrated children's book?

Thanks in advance.

SleepyBob · 04-29-2014, 02:24 PM

Most children's books on tablets are essentially apps in and of themselves because of the interactive element.

canpolat · 04-29-2014, 02:45 PM

Any direction on what tools to use to create app-books?

ApK · 04-29-2014, 03:10 PM

I'm answering out of general knowledge of application development, not any particular knowledge of book app creation.
There are probably tools designed specifically for what you have in mind. I don't know, and you should continue looking into that.

However depending on what you expect your book to do, you may have a variety of options available.

You mention converting HTML. If your book already is, or could be, implemented as a web page, you could display that exactly as-is on a mobile device. The "app" would merely be a launcher to display local content in the device's web browser.
This is a popular method of cross-platform development for many kinds of apps, and there are many tools to make the app package.

Another option, if the interaction in your book is simple animation, transitions and sounds, you could do do all the design and element production, and hand the pieces over to just about any mobile app developer, even someone just learning. Stringing pieces like that together is a pretty trivial app, when the design and graphics are already done.

ApK

canpolat · 04-29-2014, 03:36 PM

Thank you for the responses. I found a piece of software called PhoneGap. I think that will be a good starting point.

04-29-2014, 12:30 PM	#1
canpolat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 17950 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Xodo	What is the best way of making an illustrated children's book? Hi, All my library is in ePub format and I'm very happy with it. But, I want to try creating a children's book for fun and I'm not sure ePub would be the best format. Here is why: It will be a illustrated color book for 4-6 years olds. And instead of targeting e-ink devices, I want to develop something for tablets (apparently kids know how use tablets). But I'm not sure how to start, what tools to use, etc. I want it to show up as an app instead of a book in a library... Should I start with creating an ePub, or are there other ways of converting HTML content to an Android app (that's my initial target)? I guess there are some specialized tools for this kind of content generation, but my Google searches didn't return much insight (perhaps I don't know the correct keywords). So, what is the best way of making an illustrated children's book? Thanks in advance. Last edited by canpolat; 04-29-2014 at 12:38 PM.

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04-29-2014, 02:24 PM	#2
SleepyBob Evangelist Posts: 426 Karma: 8522810 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Device: Kindle PW3	Most children's books on tablets are essentially apps in and of themselves because of the interactive element.

04-29-2014, 02:45 PM	#3
canpolat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 17950 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Xodo	Any direction on what tools to use to create app-books?

04-29-2014, 03:10 PM	#4
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,389 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I'm answering out of general knowledge of application development, not any particular knowledge of book app creation. There are probably tools designed specifically for what you have in mind. I don't know, and you should continue looking into that. However depending on what you expect your book to do, you may have a variety of options available. You mention converting HTML. If your book already is, or could be, implemented as a web page, you could display that exactly as-is on a mobile device. The "app" would merely be a launcher to display local content in the device's web browser. This is a popular method of cross-platform development for many kinds of apps, and there are many tools to make the app package. Another option, if the interaction in your book is simple animation, transitions and sounds, you could do do all the design and element production, and hand the pieces over to just about any mobile app developer, even someone just learning. Stringing pieces like that together is a pretty trivial app, when the design and graphics are already done. ApK

04-29-2014, 03:36 PM	#5
canpolat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 17950 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Xodo	Thank you for the responses. I found a piece of software called PhoneGap. I think that will be a good starting point.

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