Fox 29 News Interviews Angelique Marshall Author of Alphabet Book with AR

Introduction of Angelique Marshall's Interview about her Alphabet Book:

Well, kids love snuggling up with someone they love and reading a book. And meteorologist Scott Williams his daughter Amelia was excited about a new kind of book that involves an app and augmented reality.

Karen is going to introduce us to the author, a Philly person.

Karen:

Well, that's what's so neat because she's come up with this concept. She's from Philadelphia, and she brings these books to life, helping kids practice their letter sounds.

So joining us right now is Angelique Marshall, the author of this book. Good morning thanks for coming in. I love this with the alphabet sounds, and I love that it's so simple.

You use an app, and you can make this come to life. How did you come up with this idea?

Angelique Marshall:

Just working with Children with developmental challenges and behavioral health, and I wanted to do something that would impact the Children and get them to learn.

So, I was introduced to augmented reality and over Covid did my research, came up with this book, and here you have it.

Karen:

And it was a collaboration also with your cousin who did some of the illustrations like you work together, and then you made this app as well?

Angelique Marshall:

Yes, actually, he is my nephew. He's an artist, and he helped me draw the pictures, and I did my research and developed the app.

Karen:

Well, I love the pictures. Let's pull up one. We're going to start with the letter D. I think it's so interesting the way that this all works and comes to life. So let's illustrate the letter "D." Okay,

Alphabet Books for Preschool "Big D. Little D. David's dippy, dapper da da."

And that's what the kids really need. You have examples.

I love that the birds are flying, and then you can hear the sounds you know the D, and then you have it with the words that you use.

Let me give you another one that I love; the letter "N." So cute.

"Alphabet Book Read Aloud example: Big N little N nana Nora's a nice necklace. Nn Nn"

I love how the eyes are blinking, and then all the letters come to life. So what is the response that you're getting from people? Because it's really neat for kids to see this? They respond well, a lot of times, Children who have some learning differences use electronics and iPads.

Angelique Marshall:

Yes. So most of the time, the Children are amazed because the images pop up, and the families and the parents love it. So, I'm getting amazing reviews.

Karen:

So how can people find this book? So it's kind of like your name, which is like Angelique. So Angels Awesome Books, when people go to your website, how do they find it, or where is this available?

Angelique Marshall:

It's available on my website, and it has all the information that you may need on the website. It also gives you information about how the book can help you help children with delays.
You can find it on my website; you can find it on amazon.

Karen:

Let me give you one more example. This was another of my favorite letters when I was looking through the book. The letter "V."

"The Alphabet Book: "Big V little V victoria's vibrant violet violin."

So this is one of my favorites because, at every level, it illustrates that you have a little girl playing the violin, you hear the music, I love the enunciation on it. So obviously, you also have some experience with video production as well?

Angelique Marshall:

Yes, I do.

Karen:

You have a whole other business that also does that, and one business isn't enough; you have another business as well.

Angelique Marshall:

I'm a busy lady.

Karen:

Well, we're so glad that you are. So you have to, you can get the book. How much do they retail?

Angelique Marshall:

On the website is 20.

Karen:

And then the app is like $1 to download?

Angelique Marshall:

99 cents on the apple store.

Karen:

And it's easy because you can scan the QR code on the book and suddenly, Like what? And it comes right up, and you can see all this.

Angelique Marshall:

Yes. Yup.

Karen:

And then, what are the responses you're getting from like families and Children? Because Scott loved it, and Amelia could not be the cutest thing with like that whole like her outfits and everything. What are family's saying?

Angelique Marshall:

They're saying that this is wonderful because they wanted something because Children love tablets and iPhones or just any type of electronics. So because it's educational, they love it.

Karen:

I think it's wonderful. We hope it's a whole series. Can you keep reading more of them?

Angelique Marshall:

That's the plan. I have 10 in my brain.

Karen:

All right, let's get from your brain onto the paper and the website. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Angelique Marshall:

Thank you so much.