The children’s reading market just got a digital upgrade. iHuman Inc. (NYSE: IH), a leading Chinese edtech company, and Cricket Media, the U.S. publisher behind beloved children’s magazines like Ladybug and Cricket, have teamed up to launch Reading Stars—a global app that turns traditional reading into an interactive, gamified adventure.
Storytelling Meets EdTech
Reading Stars combines Cricket Media’s award-winning library of stories with iHuman’s expertise in digital content, edutainment, and interactive design. The result is more than just a digital bookshelf. Kids read short, Lexile®-leveled books across genres—science, art, history, poetry, comics, and fiction—while engaging in quizzes, games, and interactive challenges.
Dr. Peng Dai, CEO of iHuman, positioned the app as a natural extension of the company’s mission: “With nearly three decades of experience, we are dedicated to creating immersive learning experiences that support children’s holistic growth.”
Eric Berger, CEO of Cricket Media, added: “Reading Stars extends our storytelling legacy into a groundbreaking interactive experience. Kids don’t just read—they build cities, earn stars, and discover that reading itself is rewarding.”
Gamified Learning, Ten Minutes a Day
At the heart of the app is a progression system designed to encourage daily reading. Each completed book contributes to building a personalized virtual city, giving children a visible sense of achievement. A Reading Buddy—a virtual companion—guides kids along the way, asking questions, celebrating milestones, and providing support to keep engagement high.
The app is also built for parents and educators: by offering personalized recommendations based on age, reading level, and interests, Reading Stars ensures children are challenged without being overwhelmed.
Bridging Print and Digital
One clever feature ties Reading Stars to Cricket Media’s print legacy: QR codes in Cricket, Spider, and Ladybug magazines link directly to the app. Kids can scan a code to unlock read-alouds, vocabulary games, comprehension quizzes, and additional stories—effectively creating a seamless print-to-digital learning bridge.
Why It Matters
Edtech is booming globally, but many reading apps remain little more than static e-libraries. Reading Stars tries to stand out with its blend of gamification, adaptive learning, and storytelling. It’s a response to a clear need: helping children build strong reading habits while keeping pace with digital-native expectations.
The bigger implication? Partnerships like iHuman and Cricket’s suggest that the future of children’s publishing lies in hybrid ecosystems—where print and digital coexist to keep kids engaged.
The Bottom Line
With Reading Stars, iHuman and Cricket Media are betting on a new formula for literacy: ten minutes a day, gamified progress, and verified storytelling. It may not replace bedtime stories just yet, but it could give today’s generation of digital-first readers the boost they need to fall in love with reading.
