Interested in combining reading and video chatting? If so, brothers Christopher, Mischa and Daniel, and father Michael Grunberg are offering free access to their WePair app as part of a beta test of their product. Said Christopher, “it’s specifically designed for grandparents to read to a grandchild but may be used by anyone wanting to share books with a loved one.” A built-in library is provided.
The idea was born from frustration. Christopher noted that their mother, Anne Marie, “was trying to bond with her new grandson by reading to him over video chat,” but the process proved a disaster. It was difficult to share the illustrations due to camera problems and at times the poor imaging made it seem like she had fallen asleep. He said, “we designed an app that would provide a seamless and pleasant reading experience.”
He went on to say that the app looks to foster a “more casual level” of conversation between grandparents and grandchildren, an interaction that can often feel stilted. With the addition of the reading aspect, more small talk can develop, leading to “a sense of normalcy to conversations and allows for a fabulous sharing of something special between the two family members.”
The Grunberg family has lived in Greenbelt since 1990, yet Anne Marie first moved here in 1968. The three brothers went to area schools and all three are alumni of Eleanor Roosevelt High School and the University of Maryland. With respect to development of the app, Christopher stated that a computer developer was hired “to do all the heavy lifting, because it’s a huge undertaking.” Both he and Mischa are employed in software technology.
WePair app looks to go much further as it develops. It aims to incorporate independent authors into its library and help in the purchase of their books, both physical and electronic copies. With the addition of emojis, electronic cards could be sent to children. The capability to draw, paint and work on documents that could translate into personal books, tutoring services and remote learning is being explored. Also, the creators imagine providing a music library for nonverbal users or those suffering cognitive disabilities.
Another potential use of the app was derived from an interaction in Christopher’s childhood. A fellow 5-year-old declared, “This is the best day of my life!” When asked why by his mother, the child replied, “Today is the day that my daddy gets out of jail.” Christopher thinks that it would be wonderful to offer WePair to prison systems as an incentive to those imprisoned to be able to connect and be a parent to their children.
In addition, the Grunbergs have reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to see if they would be interested in using the platform to help underprivileged children develop a love of reading.
Child safety is paramount for the creators. Safeguards such as passwords, encryption, and parent and/or legal guardian approval and supervision are being incorporated.
For those interested in trying the app, access is available at wepair.family. A large screen device is recommended for optimum viewing. Use at this time requires no obligation to continue once the test has ended. Promotional code nwGNRiNJA will give a 20 percent discount on the full application when it becomes available.
Christopher said that “reading is one of the most important skills we can give our children. It helps develop empathy, inspires the imagination and promotes learning.” He hopes the app will improve and strengthen family relationships.
He remarked that “we have several more steps to go from here. This hasn’t been an inexpensive endeavor. It takes time and money. So, it’s important for us to do this in stages. This allows us to get the basics down pat before adding more functionality.”