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Challenges and lessons learned from interactive animation storytelling.

Interactive, immersive animation experiences are now a reality.

How a two-hundred-year-old opera made the transition to an online motion comic for contemporary audiences.

J.K. Rowling has taken to Pottermore to release new content about the Dursleys in celebration of Dudley’s 35th birthday today. This was in line with the reveal of new content in Deathly Hallows chapters on the interactive reading website. Time reports:

‘Rowling gave insight into the backstory of Vernon and Petunia, including the origin of their names, both first and last, and their relationship to Harry’s parents James and Lily.’

Time also includes information on how to get to the new content:

‘In order to access the latest information on Pottermore, fans must first head to the Cupboard Under the Stairs, where the Dursleys kept Harry at number four, Privet Drive. As alohamora won’t work to unlock the new text, fans might want to look at the side table outside the cupboard first.’

Rowling comments on Petunia’s parting words to Harry:

‘Although some readers wanted more from Aunt Petunia during this farewell, I still think that I have her behave in a way that is most consistent with her thoughts and feelings throughout the previous seven books … Nobody ever seemed to expect any better from Uncle Vernon, so they were not disappointed.’

These are very exciting additions to Pottermore, which still continues to expand. If you don’t fancy the hunt, read in more detail about the additions in SnitchSeeker’s article here.

Media Molecules's follow-up to "Tearaway" and "LittleBigPlanet" mines user-generated art to create endless dream worlds.

Toni Buzzeo is the author of the 2013 Caldecott Honor Book and New York Times bestseller One Cool Friend, as well as many other books for children.

Google's interactive film division has announced four new animation projects, and introduced a developer's kit that allows anyone to produce interactive animation.

Klutz’s book based activity kits are exceptional for providing inspiration and convenience and for allowing children to explore and uncover new interests and talents.

Hop aboard the Pony Express in the latest interactive Google Doodle.

"The Secret of Kells" and other Irish animation highlights go postal.

Art activity books can serve as a wonderful meditative tool to help reduce stress, refocus and recharge the brain, and spark inspiration.

Led by former Pixar artists, Oculus wants to inspire filmmakers to start creating virtual reality animation projects.

These books, guides, and cards offer interesting trivia and facts, engaging formats, and lively illustrations; a perfect combination to pique interest for hours of casual reading, followed by days of reciting trivia, and hopefully, years of knowledge about these important people in American history.

'Way to Go' is an interactive film experience that almost feels like you're playing a video game.

Having mastered ballet in Flora and the Flamingo, Flora takes to the ice and forms an unexpected friendship with a penguin in Molly Idle's Flora and the Penguin.

In many parts of the world, Christmas does not lack in spirit or rich flavors. Though sweets are a major highlight to this festive holiday, there are quite a few notable savory foods to consider. As you are sitting down to your third helping of turkey, take a look through just some of the Christmas foods people will be eating this year:

What sorts of Christmas foods do you have every year? Let us know in the comments below.

Headline image credit: Christmas decoration. Image by Hades2k. CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr.

The post A smorgasbord of Christmas foods appeared first on OUPblog.

        

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What started as a simple festival celebrating the year’s bountiful harvest has turned into an archetypal American holiday, with grand dinners featuring savory and sweet dishes alike. Thanksgiving foods have changed over the years, but there are still some iconic favorites that have withstood time. Hover over each food below in this interactive image and find out more about their role in this day of feasting:

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Let us know in the comments below!

The post A look at Thanksgiving favorites appeared first on OUPblog.

        

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Bruce Timm is working with tech company Otoy to recreate the Batcave from "Batman: The Animated Series" as an immersive entertainment experience.

"Duet," the directorial debut of animation legend Glen Keane, has already appeared online and is a strong contender in this year's Oscar field, but it hasn't been available in its interactive format until today.

In a follow-up to the bestselling board book Peek-a-Who?, Nina Laden creates another must-have for parents.

Topo's Piano encourages and inspires young budding musicians to create their own melodies and discover the many joys and gifts of music.

Tap The Magic Tree, by Christie Matheson, is a beautiful story about the changing seasons centered on a single tree that children are asked to interact with on the page.

The Lately Lily books and activity sets, bought together or separately, are beautifully designed items that not only tell an interesting story about travel and adventure, but also encourage children to be storytellers and chroniclers themselves.

Both ABC Animals and Spot the Animals: A Lift-the-Flap Book of Colors are recommended for toddlers, and make unique gifts.

From the creators of BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?, this colorful board book will delight fans and garner new ones. With bright, fascinating pictures and exciting slide flaps that reveal animal drawings, this book entrances young readers.