Esca’Pad in Madagascar book will come with its own AR app

You can’t buy Esca’Pad in Madagascar yet, but this combined book-and-app project is raising money on crowdfunding site Kickstarter, and with 33 days to go is motoring towards its €10,000 target. Parents might want to get in early with their backing to help it succeed.

Aimed at 6–9 year-old children, the French project is based on the largest island of Madagascar (the place, obviously, not the film world) with a pair of central characters called Rosie and Joe, who are scientific reporters.

“In the heart of the primary forest, they follow the footsteps of lemurs and other endemic species which abound on the large island,” explains the Kickstarter pitch. “During the expedition, they observe humpback whales, Tsingy and baobabs, they visit cities and meet the Malagasy people…”

The clever bit is augmented-reality features so that children can use the companion app alongside the book. In fact, the book’s cover flips up to become a stand for a tablet, complete with a mirror to help the app detect which page is currently being read, and serve up video, animation, games and sound accordingly.

The book will be available in French and English language versions, with its creators promising that it’ll help children get interested in subjects from the environment and biodiversity to astronomy, sociology and ethnology.

Judging by the screenshots and video, it’s already looking rather lovely. Backers getting in quick can pledge €20 for a copy of the book to be delivered when it’s published in March 2018, although the standard price will be €25.

Pledging more for higher tiers will get signed copies; art prints; invitations to the launch party; and a place in the credits.