Next up in our “Behind The Apps” series is Michelle Anaya. Michelle is the founder of Blue Sandpiper Imprints, a company that makes storybook apps for kids. She is also a founding member of the Book App Alliance.
Michelle’s background is in graphic print design, but she was always interested in writing and illustrating children’s books. Her first step toward becoming a digital storybook creator was to work on her writing. Michelle writes, “In Early 2012, I started laying the groundwork by developing my writing skills and becoming a part of the writing community. To do that, I joined the Children’s Book Insider and absorbed everything that the experts and the published authors had to offer.”
Michelle was still unsure about what medium she wanted to create her book in. She knew she wanted to create digital books, but wasn’t sure if she should create an e-book or an app. Then, one day, she noticed her son playing with her iPad. She explains how her son chose a book app (Treasure Kai and the Lost Gold of Shark Island) over a game and was totally engrossed in it.
From there, Michelle decided to work with a developer to write the actual code for her app. “This was a good option for me since my strengths lie in managing the creative aspects of the project,” she said. She also used books like Author’s Guide To Book Apps and How To Market A Book App by Karen Robertson to help her create and market her apps.
“My apps were inspired by my sons who are reluctant readers. Like many children, they find video games to be more fun than reading. Book apps offer multi-sensory interactivity with an educational component. They are a gateway to a love of reading,” she explained.
Both of the book apps that Michelle has for sale were inspired by events in her son’s lives. Michelle writes, “The App ‘Grendel’s Great Escape’ was inspired by the adventurous nature of my son Joe, who lives with ADHD. Like many ADHD children, the main character Martin is energetic, messy, disorganized, procrastinates and has trouble keeping track of his things. It’s a fun adventure of a boy and his pet on show and tell day.”
Michelle’s second app, “Monster Jam,” is based on the first Music Festival attended by her son, Ian, and his kiddie rock band. Michelle spent a lot of time waiting on her son at rehearsals so used that time to write and develop her books and apps. Her next app, “Monster Jam World Tour,” will feature world music and geography.
When Michelle began working on the Book App Alliance, she and the other founders felt that it was necessary for all members to be COPPA compliant. She writes, “One of our members, Melissa Northway of Dandelion Moms, recommended that we visit and join The Moms With Apps Know What’s Inside™ program because they were very involved with COPPA compliance and privacy issues for children’s apps.”
Michelle found Moms With Apps to be a helpful resource in understanding COPPA. She writes, “There was still a lot of information floating around about COPPA and I was still unclear about some of the requirements. I liked the fact that the KWI program explained exactly what needed to be done and had the sticker that would identify that my app was compliant.”
To learn more about Michelle and her books, visit: www.bluesandpiper.com