In a recent episode of the Homeschool Ways podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alex Faisman. Alex is the creative mind behind the Reading Buddy app and a talented author-illustrator of whimsical children’s books. With over 400,000 families using his free app worldwide, we can see how Alex’s contribution to literacy has already made a mark. His books bring a unique blend of technology, art, and passion for early literacy to homeschooling families.
The Sad Princess by Alex FaismanVersion 1.0.0
Alex’s journey began as a self-taught artist who drew for over 55 years, later teaching in schools – an experience he found deeply inspiring. As a father of four and former collaborator with a company supporting children with autism, he channeled his talents into creating tools that help young minds connect with the world. This led to the Reading Buddy app (available free on Google Play and the App Store), developed with neuroscientist Andre Vasheski from Boston University.
The app features beautifully illustrated stories where highlighted text syncs with narration – either AI-generated voices, human readings, or parent-read alouds (with audio toggle options). Children follow along as words light up, reinforcing phonics and reading skills in an engaging way. Alex drew inspiration from personal experiences helping a child struggling with reading, using similar tech that made a huge difference. It’s not meant to replace cozy parent-child reading sessions but to supplement them – perfect for those busy homeschool moments when a child needs a quiet, educational activity.
Other Titles
Many app stories have inspired printed books, including retellings of classics like Jack and the Beanstalk and The Snow Queen. Some are available in bilingual editions, such as English-Ukrainian. Alex also wrote originals like The Sad Princess. In this delightful tale, a clever princess explores labs and libraries, blending fantasy with learning. Alex aimed to create an aspirational, peaceful world where girls love knowledge, science, and discovery. His children sparked the inspiration because they saw the “magic” in spelling and wordplay.
He’s currently working on Little Angels Love Science. This new title aims to trick little ones into loving math, chemistry, and even nuclear physics.
Alex views screens as tools with pros and cons – best used sparingly to ignite that one “spark” of curiosity. Future app ideas include interactive sound books with real bird calls, animal noises, human voices expressing emotions, and music elements.
As homeschoolers, we know the power of sparking joy in learning. Tools like Reading Buddy offer gentle reinforcement for phonics and literacy, especially when life gets hectic. What creative tools have sparked reading magic in your homeschool? Share in the comments!
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