LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Inception, a cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality (AR) company, launched Bookful, a platform with AR experiences for books featuring some of Penguin Random House’s classic and frontlist titles.
This launch focuses on Beatrix Potter’s beloved books The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, and The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. Each of these titles will feature both “read” and “play” modes, bringing illustrations to life using AR technology and allowing users to interact with the characters in the stories to augment their understanding and learning. “Read” features a digital version of the book with illustrations that come to life throughout the story. “Play” features activities in which children can interact with characters from each book.
The launch will also include the DK Children’s Encyclopedia and two Step-into-Reading titles: Dinosaur Days by Joyce Milton, illustrated by Franco Tempesta, and S-s-snakes by Lucille Recht Penner, illustrated by Peter Barrett.
“Bringing books to life through augmented reality provides opportunities to get all children excited about books, whether they enjoy reading or not,” said Benny Arbel, CEO, Inception. “We are looking to entertain, educate, and delight both children and parents alike, and reclaim some of the digital screen time for our favorite books and stories.”
Bookful is a pioneering AR book platform offering children the ability to seek out other titles featuring AR experiences.
About Inception
Inception is a leading next-generation immersive (VR/AR) content network that brought to market multiple XR solutions including the Inception VR entertainment app, and Bookful AR. Inception combines unique proprietary technology, a best-in-class creative studio, and cross-platform destination apps. Inception has received a strategic investment from RTL Group and is the VR/AR arm of the Group. Bookful, Inception’s newest offering, brings Inception firmly into the AR realm, creating a magical playful universe that brings books to life for children in augmented reality. Inception launched its cross-platform VR app, which now has over 1 million downloads, in October 2016.
About Peter Rabbit™ and Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of the world’s best-loved children’s books and was created by author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter in 1902. The story has never been out of print since it was first published by Frederick Warne & Co. (today an imprint of Penguin Random House) and has sold in excess of 45 million copies globally. Beatrix Potter personally oversaw the launch of subsequent products, making Peter Rabbit the oldest licensed character in history. Today over 2 million of her ‘little books’ are sold globally every year, whilst Peter Rabbit has appeared in books and products in more than 110 countries throughout the world.
Penguin Ventures (part of the Penguin Random House Group) is committed to growing and protecting The Peter Rabbit™ brand and manages The World of Beatrix Potter™, one of the world’s longest running and largest international literature-based licensing programmes.
BEATRIX POTTER™ © Frederick Warne & Co Ltd, 2018. Frederick Warne & Co. is the owner of all rights, copyrights and trademarks in the Beatrix Potter character names and illustrations.
