Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Bringing Stories to Life with Popar Toys Augmented Reality Storybooks {Review & Giveaway}

Popar logo
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Around here, we like books.

I typically have a pile checked out from the library waiting for me, while both Big Sister E and Little Sister B have shelves in their rooms (and our living room) piled high with books that get taken down and re-shelved daily. It is far from uncommon for me to go look for either one of them only to discover them sprawled out on their beds, the couch or the floor, engrossed in the stories that they see in the pictures.

From baby board books with only pictures to large, intricate books covered with words, they both love to be a part of the magical world that books can provide on their pages.

So, what could make books better for a 4-year-old and 6-year-old that are already fascinated with them?

When a book, which has always been defined as a two-dimensional object, suddenly becomes a 3D, interactive experience thanks to Popar Toys and their interactive books.

Augmented Reality books

By using Augmented Reality (AR) — a groundbreaking concept that utilizes a mobile/smart device and special patterns to make amazing 3D objects and animations appear in the real world — Popar Toys has created an immersive reading experience unlike what any standard book can provide.

While things like books, cards, puzzles and maps can be educational and fun on their own, Popar Toys' AR technology allows the user to see incredible virtual "real" 3D objects and animations that pop right off of the page. Suddenly a story can go from its usual auditory and visual experience to a fully engaging, adventurous, interactive fun time for all!

With options such as bugs, construction machines, planets, dinosaurs and more, I had no doubt when Popar Toys' Princess and Her Pals 3D Book arrived that it would be a big, big hit.

Popar Toys princess and her pals 3D book

As I knew it would, Little Sister B's face lit up when she first glimpsed this book. Princesses! Mama! A book about prinnnncesssses!

Even before I could say anything about the special aspects of Princess and Her Pals 3D, my little princess-lover and her sister were already excited to see all of the bright colors and whimsical illustrations that adorned each of the pages.

Popar Toys princess book

While Little Sister B and Big Sister E flipped through the pages again and again, I went to my computer and spent a total of maybe two minutes downloading the accompanying Popar Toys app to my phone.

software download

After telling the girls that I had something exciting to show them about their new book, we all gathered around to see what was going to happen.

Suddenly, along with seeing the pages of the book and the words written out, the princesses came to life as we turned the pages and were able to hear the story read aloud.

Popar Toys review

Talk about turning ordinary into extraordinary! We all watched and listened in amazement as we followed the tale of the princesses, meeting each one and her different color (and finding out what she was going to bring to the Rainbow Ball).

Popar Toys book review

Without fail, the girls were grinning each time we turned the pages and couldn't get over the fact that the princesses had come alive. Even better, the app allows users to zoom and grab on the screen, so we were able to get even closer in on the action.


To make a good thing even better (or, in this case, a great thing even more fantastic), the message of this book is amazing as well. While some children's books have pleasant ideas or characters, the actual plot can be pretty lackluster.

However, with Popar Toys, there was clearly a significant amount of time and attention spent making sure that the words themselves would be just as beautiful and educational as the innovative AR that goes with them. In the end, the Pink Princess finds that making friends isn't difficult and that even though all of these princesses were different, together they make a beautiful rainbow!


Retailing for $19.99 (the app is free and you can also use a PC or Mac with a webcam), Popar Toys has changed the way that children interact and experience stories. I don't know how many other princess books you have in your house that allow girls to explore a castle, play with a princess and look at an illustration from all sides, but this is definitely a first for us!

To take things a step further, we also downloaded the Popar Toys game app and have been having a great time designing and dressing our own princess and then getting to make her wave, dance, jump and more!

princess app

For a child that loves books, Popar Toys can strengthen that adoration even further by introducing augmented reality and bringing it to life. On the other hand, if you have a child in your life that has never been a huge fan of books, these amazing products just might change that by engaging them in a way that has never been possible before!

Find out more about the full collection of Popar Toys books (as well as their other innovative products) by visiting PoparToys.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to have a 3D experience in their home as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Popar Toys' Princess And Her Pals 3D Book, Bugs 3D Book or Construction Machines 3D Book!



A big thank you to Popar Toys for providing a complimentary book for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

60 comments:

BrunoDogg2 said...

I also love their Bugs 3D Adventure Kit!

ColleenMarie82 said...

I like the Bugs 3D Cards

yonca said...

Great product!
Your girls look so happy!What a wonderful pic of them. I can see on their faces how much fun they had.
Have a great day to you and your family, Xenia! xx

wigget said...

i like the Dinosaurs 3D Book

Unknown said...

I also love the Bug 3D cards!

Lori Taube
cltaube @ gmail.com

Laura Miller said...

I love the Dinosaur book too!!!

Nancy said...

I like the Bugs 3D Cards.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Mary said...

I think the Princess 3D cards would be cute!

Joseph T said...

Princess 3D cards

Tamar said...

I like the Planets 3D Book.

sdavis said...

i like the Planets 3D Adventure Kit

Bethany C. said...

I like the planets 3d adventure kit.

Darlene said...

Construction Machines 3D Adventure Kit

SueZH said...

Solar system 3D chart would be great in my godsons room.

nickieisis3 said...

I like the Bugs 3D Cards.

Chaotic Karma said...

I like the Princess 3D Cards!

ken ohl said...

the princess 3D cards my niece would love. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

pennelope merriweather said...

I liked the princess 3d cards! Thanks for this giveaway!

tina reynolds said...

my kids would love the Bugs 3D Cards

Unknown said...

I like the Dinosaurs 3D Book! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Reneewalters3 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I like the dinosaur book.

hhkaufman78 said...

Planets 3D Book

eg kaufman

Unknown said...

Princess 3D Book

Melissa said...

I thought the 3-D advanture kit seemed great.

Nknouse22 said...

princess 3d book

SharonC said...

Bugs 3D Adventure Kit

jcwega27 said...

planets 3d book
jessicawedwards@gmail.com

carol said...

Dinosaurs 3D Book

Subscription Box Girl said...

bugs 3-d
flyergal82 AT (yahoo)

Unknown said...

Cool products! I also like the Picnic Interactive 3D Puzzle Game. Looks like fun.

latanya t said...

Construction Machines 3D Book

K.Pugh said...

The Construction 3D book looks like something my kids would enjoy.
Thanks for the chance.

Terra Heck said...

I like the Football Interactive 3D Puzzle Game. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Dave said...

I like the construction machines 3d cards

angel heaps said...

bugs in 3d

Unknown said...

Solar System 3D Chart :)

amanda whitley said...

i'd like the Dinosaurs 3D Book

mecarolks said...

I like the Dinosaurs 3D Book

laurie nykaza said...

I like the Princess 3D Cards and so would my nieces

Anonymous said...

I love the dinosaur 3d book

Unknown said...

Sealife 3D book

cheryl lister said...

Princess 3D cards are cute - my grand daughter would love them

Unknown said...

I like the Planet and the dinosaur 3d books

dawn keenan (newnameford) said...

My grandson would love the dinosaur book.

Sunnymay said...

My grandson just turned one and likes anything to do with wheels and contruction. He would enjoy the Construction Machines 3D book.
https://popartoys.com/shop/construction-machines-3d-book/

Debra said...

Bugs 3D Adventure Kit

cheryl lister said...

like the Princess 3D book. actually, I like all their things!

polly said...

Like the picnic interactive

Unknown said...

My daughter would LOVE the dinosaurs one!

Teresa Thompson said...

Bugs 3D Adventure Kit

Diana said...

I like the Bugs 3D card
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Unknown said...

the Planets 3D Book.

Mammamayor said...

The sea life book looks neat thank you,Natalie,natbelinsky@verizon.net

shirley said...

Planets 3D Book!!!

susansmoaks said...

i love the planets 3d book
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

lilyk said...

The Bugs 3D Adventure Kit looks very interesting!

Lisa McClernon said...

I would like the Bugs 3-D Adventure!

Unknown said...

I like the Planets 3D Adventure Kit

blew415 said...

Princess 3D Book

A Roach said...

the bugs 3d card!