I’m thrilled to finally share a secret project that has been in the works for over a year: the story of Scavenger Scout is now available in virtual reality! Thanks to a pioneering company called Peeka, kids can surround themselves with Yana Popova’s lush landscapes from the book. If your kids enjoyed searching for the rocks on every page in the book, wait until they search for the rocks in a 360-degree environment! Scout has the honor of being one of the very first virtual reality books, which includes a voice-over that reads the story to your kid as they experience the illustrations that surround them.
My favorite part of the story in VR is the dragon scene! Peeka takes it to the next level with sensory details such as water-dripping sounds, mood-setting background music, dramatic voice-over and dynamic visuals. They all combine beautifully to make you feel like you are actually in a cave! Wanna check it out? Here’s a peek(a):
The best part is, the experience is an app on your smart phone! Here’s what you need:
- Your smart phone
- The Peeka app
- An inexpensive cardboard VR headset that costs around $20 (available on Peeka’s website, Amazon or other retailers).
- Headphones
Ready to go virtual? Here’s how to get started:
1. Download the free app from the app store on your phone or Peeka’s website.
When you download Peeka’s app, you’ll get 5 free tokens so you can experience Scavenger Scout for FREE! Available for both Apple and Android phones. After your first experience, you can choose to rent Scavenger Scout VR for less than $1 or buy it.
2. Buy a VR headset (if you don’t already have one) or a Peeka bundle
Peeka sells a cardboard headset for $20 on their website. It folds up to the size of a large wallet and is super easy to take with you on trips. Amazon also has a variety of inexpensive headsets to choose from. Looking for a unique gift? Buy the Peeka + Rock Hound bundle, which includes a Peeka headset, the Scavenger Scout VR experience and a hardcover copy of the book. Coming soon: Scavenger Scout stickers to decorate your Peeka headset!
Help Peeka create more VR books by supporting their crowdfunding campaign
Peeka’s mission is to make reading fun again on young readers’ terms. The company was founded to help reluctant readers fall in love with reading by meeting them in the middle. They have successfully taken the immersive experience of a video game and married it with traditional storytelling. They just launched a crowdfunding campaign to allow them to create even more books, including Scavenger Scout Book 2! To learn more about this amazing company, which has already launched innovative reading programs in Idaho and South Carolina, check out their crowdfunding page. If you’re as passionate as I am about making reading accessible to all kids, consider supporting their journey.