Created to give kids a fun way to learn U.S. geography, cartoonist Phil Yeh’s popular graphic novel Dinosaurs Across America has been published in hardcover by NBM since 2007, selling more than 15,000 copies. Now, the popular, full color work has been adapted into fully interactive iPad app and e-book for the PC available through the App store for $9.99.
Awarded A Library Media Connection Editors Choice award, Dinosaurs Across America, follows Patrick Rabbit and his dinosaur friends as they visit each state in the Union, uncovering a trail of entertaining information and funny facts about each.
NBM publisher Terry Nantier called the new digitized title “an interactive graphic novel. ” He partnered with digital and print management vendor TWP Digital Solution to recreate the book as an interactive digital learning tool with all of its funny content and vibrant graphics intact and enhanced for the iPad. In the digital recreation of Dinosaurs Across America, Patrick Rabbit and his dinosaur buddies invite the reader into a space ship that can zoom in on the details of each state. The new interactive Dinosaurs Across America also offers a digital puzzle map that kids can click on and assemble; and that also offers fun facts as about each state as well as a time line detailing important events in that state’s history.
Yoichi Sanada, managing director of TWP, said, “We are delighted to offer NBM a digital solution for this title as an extension to our print capabilities. This showcases our ability to use superior technology to deliver content in a truly engaging manner across multiple platforms and devices. “
NBM publisher Terry Nantier called the new interactive version of Dinosaurs Across America, “part of NBM’s fairly aggressive move into e-books for its graphic novels,” and said to expect more announcements about forthcoming digital comics from NBM. “Comics and graphic novels will always be in print, they’re too tactile and collectible not to be, but electronic versions are fun too. In this case, we see a fascinating magnification of the effect comics can have at making learning fun.”
