New interactive app helps children learn to read

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The new app, called Lyle Little, helps kids learn how to read and helps their parents chart their progress.

The stories are interactive and designed for today's tech-savvy youngsters. As a narrator reads the story, kids follow along.

"And, they can stop it and go forward and as they read through 3 or 4 pages, they'll come to a word game and so it intrigues the kids to go to the next level, and prompting them to keep going," FishyTale Digital CEO Eric Luttio said.

The idea is to engage children.

"You know kids are into games and so if we take kids and lose 'em to games, let's bring the games into reading," Luttio said.

The app is flexible enough to accommodate different reading levels.

"So they can change from let's say first grade reading to 2nd grade to 3rd grade reading in the same book," Luttio said.

It's flexibility that any parent can appreciate.

"I have a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old, and both of them can stay engaged in the same app at the same time," Jami Conant said.

Parents can also use this 'app' to track the progress of their kids.

"As a parent, I always wanted to know how my kids were doing in reading," Luttio said.

As a child Luttio struggled to read, but he overcame dyslexia to become a successful entrepreneur. He was inspired to create 'Lyle Little' after routine surgery left him paralyzed.

"I had two prayers. One, that I could walk again and, two, that I could create something that I could give back," he said.

Today he is walking with the aid of crutches and his new company is up and running.

"It's happening. We get to see the joy in kids' faces," he said.

Of course, many of you still want to read to your kids yourself. One of my fondest memories from childhood is listening to my father read to me in his beautiful English accent and this technology is so flexible you can still do this. Soon, there will also be a hardcover "Lyle Little' book out for those who prefer the traditional approach.

You can learn more about the app and the company at fishytale.com.