Sesame Street Workshop has released a new Elmo themed eBook app, the first of its new “Step into Reading” app series developed by Random House Children’s Books with Smashing Ideas.

Elmo’s Big Birthday Bash!—A Step into Reading app is a 30 page interactive storybook app that is designed to teach kids how to read. It includes narration by Bob McGrath.

Sesame Workshop’s Jennifer A. Perry, VP, Worldwide Publishing, stated: “Step into Reading books are part of every beginning reader’s library. We are thrilled to have an original Sesame Street story be the first app tie-in to this renowned series. Based on testing with preschoolers, Elmo’s Big Birthday Bash! was designed to integrate a read-aloud story with fundamental early reading skills to help start young readers on the road to a lifelong love of reading.”

In January, Random House and Sesame Street launched s new digital imprint with the Elmo titles Elmo Says Achoo! and Elmo’s Breakfast Bingo. The companies plan to release a number of new titles this spring including: Get Moving with Grover, Big Bird Says and Baker, Baker and Cookie Maker.