Oxford University Press has announced a partnership with a mobile and social web game developer to “gamify” popular classical literature for children.
SecretBuilders, the developer, will introduce characters and plots in digital format, with the aim of engaging children and teenagers up to the age of 15 in classical literature.
This entertaining digital learning experience is in support of the “50 Great Reads Before 15” initiative, designed to encourage children to read.
Chief Executive Officer of SecretBuilders, Umair Khan said: “Our mission is to help kids catch the reading bug early and often.
“Our book-themed games on tablets and smart phones will ensure that a child’s literary journey starts before the first page and does not end on the last page.”
SecretBuilders gameworld, a community of 7 million users, selects a classic each week, with virtual talk shows, parties, quests, items, avatars and contests held that week to reflect the story and its characters.
Within the SecretBuilders gameworld, Oxford University Press has sponsored “The Bookworms Club”, a virtual land that will host all activities and items relating to “50 Great Reads Before 15.”
“Oxford University Press values this opportunity to extend our educational mission through gamifying the learning experience and motivating learners to improve their English reading skills,” said Laura Pearson, General Manager of Oxford’s American English Language Teaching Group.
Additionally, SecretBuilders will be releasing mobile games based on classical literature on iTunes, GooglePlay, Kindle and Blackberry AppWorld.
Bob Brattesani, Chief Creative Officer at SecretBuilders.said: “When it comes to mobile or social games, the only choices for kids are either chocolate fudge or chocolate-covered broccoli! We want to create games that are strawberries – experiences that are both delicious and nutritious”.
Oxford University Press is the world’s largest university press, and it publishes more than 6,000 new publications a year. Its diverse publishing programe inludes scholarly work in all academic disciplines, music, children’s books, dictionaires and reference books.
PHOTO/John-Morgan
