As winter draws in and the evenings are getting shorter, there is nothing more comforting than curling up and immersing yourself in a good book. Unsurprisingly, a recent survey by PlayStation has revealed that 81 per cent of parents feel the traditional bedtime story is both important, and an ideal way for the family to spend and share much needed time together. However, more than three quarters (77 per cent) felt their hectic lifestyles often prevented them from reading to their children before going to sleep.
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Long working hours, stressful commutes, and a list of domestic chores have resulted in more than half of parents admitting that reading before bed isn’t always achievable.
In the quest to spend more time as a family, parents are looking at alternative ways to actively engage children in reading with 65 per cent saying they felt that increasing the variety of books available, using technology, and having the family together so they could share the experience, would encourage children to take part.
Launching on November 16th, Wonderbook, a brand new peripheral for PlayStation 3, aims to bring families together with an interactive reading experience. Putting a physical book in your hands and using the latest augmented reality technology, Wonderbook brings stories to life in your living room, bridging the divide between traditional storytelling and 21st century technology, which the whole family can be a part of.
Fergal Gara, VP and Managing Director for PlayStation in the UK & Ireland, who is launching Wonderbook, said: “Today’s children are demanding a more engaging and interactive experience in everything they do, and parents are facing the pressure to keep up with trends, whilst maintaining traditions.We are excited to be bridging that gap with the launch of Wonderbook, fusing the tradition of story-telling with ground-breaking PlayStation technology.”
The first title launching for Wonderbook is Book of Spells. Featuring new and original writing from J.K Rowling, readers are able to read, discover, learn and practice spells including; Incendio, Wingardium Leviosa and Expelliarmus, in addition to discovering mischievous notes scribbled into the margins by previous Hogwarts students.
J.K. Rowling said: “Wonderbook: Book of Spells is the closest a Muggle can come to a real spellbook. I've loved working with Sony’s creative team to bring my spells, and some of the history behind them, to life. This is an extraordinary device that offers a reading experience like no other.”
With further titles set for release from renowned entertainment partners such as BBC Worldwide (Walking with Dinosaurs) and Disney, Wonderbook will bring mystery and discovery to your living room, giving you the chance to live in the stories you love.
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