This interactive story focuses on building language and early literacy skills around the location words “next to”, “in front of”, “on”, “behind”, “inside”, and “above”.

With simple sentences and a repetitive theme (“Do you see Lucy’s ladybug friend...?”), it can be used to help teach children to recognize and use location words. Encourage active participation and commenting during the story and game by asking the learner “WH” questions such as “Where?”, “Who?”, and “What?” (“Where is Lucy’s ladybug friend?”, “Who has a firework?”, “What is Lucy doing?”, etc.).

Special Features:

-Interactive themed story and simple, yet addictive game.
-“Read it to me” by touching the sentences.
-"Personalize" the “next to 1 child” page with the camera or photo library.
-Find the ladybugs to make them giggle.
-Ladybugs change locations providing a variety of learning opportunities and fun.
-Tap the “sparkling” fireworks for a special surprise!

Lorrie Ann Harrington originally created this 4th of July story to teach her son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, new vocabulary, language-based concepts, and social communication skills.

She found that incorporating his interests, including photographs of him in the stories, helps him to stay engaged and relate to the teaching topic more easily.