Magic e-book journey

Interactive fun for a good cause

THE Starfish Greathearts Foundation – a charity that provides support to more than 12 000 children orphaned or vulnerable in South Africa – has launched an interactive children’s e-book,

The Starfish Story, aimed at children from the ages from two to seven years old. Available via the Apple app, The

Starfish Story tells the story of a magical adventure that ensues as Nozi drifts into a deep sleep.

The story is ideal for a child’s first book, as parents can read the text or choose to have the story narrated by Lebo Motsoeli.

For older children who are learning to read, the tale includes a series of interactive “Easter eggs”, such as lighting and animals that come to life on the screen when they are clicked, or as the iPad is hugged, tapped or moved from side to side.

Starfish CEO Belinda te Riele said the NGO had found it difficult to raise funds.

“South Africa is considered a middle-income country with less foreign aid coming through. Also, many people are experiencing donor fatigue, so we needed to find a more innovative way of raising funds and to build a community of support for children,” Te Riele said.

“We approached digital advertising agency Retroviral to develop a campaign for us that would support an earned income strategy and which would enable Starfish to further extend services to children orphaned or vulnerable in South Africa.”

Concluded Te Riele: “The Starfish story e-book is the ideal stocking filler and those buying it for their children or as a present for a niece, nephew or grandchild, should remember that by doing so they will be giving two gifts for children this Christmas.”

The Starfish Story e-book app is available on iOS for iPad and costs R139.