I’ve just learned about a new interactive eBook app version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This one comes from award-winning designer Emmanuel Paletz. This version draw images from Flemish and Dutch Renaissance paintings to give the eBook a uniquely textured and “classical” look. It’s like a mash-up of Lewis Carroll and an elegant art history class. Add a lot of nifty-looking interactions, and you have a creation that should be entertaining for children and adults alike.
To read all about the app, click me. The app’s website itself is visually delightful, and well worth a look. Mr. Paletz talks about Lewis Carroll’s appreciation of art, and how images like Quentin Matsys’s famous painting “The Ugly Duchess,” referenced by Tenniel in his illustration. became a touchstone for his whole project. The entire eBook took Paletz about four years to create– a labor of love. His Q&A section also talks about subtle political/social commentary that he has added here and there, as well–but nothing too overt to spoil the fun of Carroll’s story. And that’s a good thing, because as the author himself was quick to point out, in this book he wanted to entertain, not moralize.
The iPad app costs $4.99 and is available now on iTunes. An Andoid tablet version (also $4.99) and versions for iPhone and Android smartphones ($2.99) will be available in the near future.
Here’s a promotional video for the eBook. (If it doesn’t appear below, try reloading this page in your web browser.)
