CHILDREN'S author, Shoo Rayner, has developed his first iPhone and iPod 'app' called Sweet Little Baby Boo! from his garden shed in Coleford.

Self-taught Shoo – who also built the shed he works from – has created the app (it means 'application' software for mobile phones and computers) to amuse babies and introduce them to 'the wonders' of internet technology.

The app, says Shoo, is a simple one designed to make babies smile.

"Babies love to play peekaboo," says Shoo. "And they love to stare at other baby faces. Put the two facts together and you get this very simple app that babies adore.

Is this a sign that the award winning children's book author and illustrator who has worked with the likes of Michael Morpurgo and Michael Rosen, is giving up on paper?

No, but: "I've been telling everyone that e-books and apps would come to compete with books for years. I've been doing animation on the internet for a long time using a programme called Flash. Now Flash and iPhone are talking to each other it seemed the perfect time. I put the app together in the evenings because I've still got the day job to do.

"Originally it's because I had an idea for a story that just didn't work as a book. I realised it would be far better as an e-book or app, so I made Sweet Little Baby Boo! to prove that I could make one."

And next?

"Now I can begin work on an e-book story. I've got a lot of ideas, but to start with it might be a digital version of Where Babies Come From but with nothing to do with storks."

•You can play with an online version of Sweet Little Baby Boo! for free at http://www.sweetlittlebaby.com">www.sweetlittlebaby.com or on sale via Apple Itunes App Store.