arts. writing. culture.

This week, you can help save a child’s life for just $1.99.  That’s right: with all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let’s not forget to be thankful for what we have and to help others get what they deserve.

Ruckus Media has paired up with St. Jude Children’s Hospital, as part of their Thanks and Giving campaign, through the end of the month.  When you buy one of their “Read-Play-and-Record-Along Rabbit Ears” interactive storybook apps for your iphone  or ipad, 100% of the net proceeds will go to St. Jude’s important research and ground-breaking strides toward the cure for children with deadly diseases.

Your children will love their favorite stories as read by celebrities.  Really, it’s a win-win:  You instill the gift of literature into your own child’s life while instilling the gift of hope into another’s. Don’t have a child?  Why not buy the apps and donate anyway, or gift the apps to someone else?  It’s for a great cause!  There are 11 classic stories, as read by the likes of Robin Williams, Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington and more.  Buy one, several or the whole collection (all for under $22).  All are available on itunes (see links below).  Whatever you can give will support the struggle of a child in need.

The apps are especially convenient on the go, when you need something to occupy a cranky child’s attention!  Maybe your favorite story as a child was “Goldilocks”—well, now is the time to introduce your son or daughter to that same story (as read by Meg Ryan!).

• PECOS BILL, TOLD BY ROBIN WILLIAMS
• THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, TOLD BY MERYL STREEP
• NEW! THUMBELINA, TOLD BY KELLY MCGILLIS
• THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, TOLD BY MERYL STREEP
• JOHN HENRY, TOLD BY DENZEL WASHINGTON
• NEW! PAUL BUNYAN, TOLD BY JONATHAN WINTERS
• TOM THUMB, TOLD BY JOHN CLEESE
• GOLDILOCKS, TOLD BY MEG RYAN
• JOHNNY APPLESEED, TOLD BY GARRISON KEILLOR
• THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDER, TOLD BY JEREMY IRONS
• THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, TOLD BY HOLLY HUNTER

St. Jude is the nation’s leading pediatric research and treatment center devoted solely to children with cancer and other deadly diseases and the only hospital that covers all of the costs for treatment, travel, food and lodging for each patient and a family member.