We have a tradition in our house where I read to my three children each night. I position myself between their bedroom doors and read loud enough for them all to hear and read until they’re either asleep or, what has happened a lot more in recent months, the story keeps them riveted and awake and I end at the closing of a chapter (to many complaints I might add).

Last evening I came to within forty pages or so to the end of our latest book, “Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow” by Ridley Pearson. Because they (who am I kidding, we) wanted to find out the conclusion, I finished the book to them midday. The fact that we’re snowed in on a post-Christmas vacation helped all the more. At the conclusion of the book, Mr. Pearson directs the reader to a URL and says that a “key” was left for the reader. At first blush, the “key” graphic on the inside cover of the book looks like an icon for design’s sake. After considering it though, I realized that it is in fact a QR Code.

When you visit the URL and open the back cover before your PC’s webcam, you’re provided a secret message from one of the book’s main characters along with a very cool 3D map. I think I was more excited about this than the kids!

This particular series of books takes place in the various Walt Disney World theme parks. The author has a series of short, 40 second or so, videos from various key locations in the stories that have made their way on to YouTube. In these videos, the author will put in little teasers about the tales. It’s been a fabulous way to help visualize scenes in the stories.

To me, nothing beats a great book. But the immersion in the stories is enhanced by these complimentary elements of technology. To me, they in no way overtake the stories themselves or the power of the reader’s imagination, but instead enhance the experience. And in that, Mr. Pearson has enveloped us all the more in his stories.