Why Books?

Every Child Has a Story

Every child has a story. Kaplan Hands-on Books create opportunities for that story to develop and provide a foundation for learning literacy essential skills that allow a child's mind to grow.

Kaplan Hands-on Books involve children with books in ways that traditionally published books cannot – opening up a world of discovery and expression.

Kaplan Hands-on Books projects augment classroom reading and writing curricula, providing successful learning experiences. Combining award-winning RealeWriterPro software and online digital libraries with quality HP digital cameras and printers, Kaplan Hands-on Books Publishing Centers make it easy for teachers and students in Pre-K through 5th grade to create picture books that can be printed at school for sharing at home, posted on the school's eLibrary (browse Kaplan Hands-on Books Sample Online Library), and distributed through email to friends and family.

Every Book Has a Purpose

Kaplan Hands-on Books can be exactly the curricular resource you need because you tailor your creation to your students' exact needs. A perfect complement to the core curriculum and resources in which your school has already invested, you can integrate this technology-enabled program into the classroom easily and affordably. Plus, Kaplan Hands-on Books projects support your state's standards across the curriculum.

Open Up a World of Possibilities

Reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for preparing children to become proficient, enthusiastic readers. Creating and sharing "real life" storybooks with others is the best way for any young child to acquire essential language skills that lead to strong reading and writing competencies.

Books are expensive resources that are always in limited supply. Statistics show that 61% of low-income families have no books for children in their homes and that they lack essential one-on-one reading time. In addition, few children's books are truly relevant to young learners from non-English speaking families or from families with unique cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

Award Winning Software

RealeStudios, which developed the RealeWriterPro software used by Kaplan Hands-on Books, has been recognized by several family and child literacy advocates. The Verizon Foundation recently awarded it their national Tech Savvy Award and recognized Enemy Swim Elementary School in Waubay, South Dakota for using the program to provide critically needed books to Native American families.