Developer Bitstudio Games launched the first two of twenty-four "habitats" for a virtual world based on the My Animal Family children's book series

The books, which are produced by Smart Kids Publishing, will be available online and at brick and mortar retailers such as Toys R Us and Barnes and Noble this fall. Each book will come with a DVD and an access code that can be used to unlock a correlating virtual habitat with interactive games at MAFkidsclub.com.

Once they've registered at the site, children can customize an avatar, play games to earn points, and spend those points on gear for further adventures in the related habitats. They can also pool their points together and choose a charity that will help children in underdeveloped nations.

An online paint program with coloring and activity pages is also featured at the site. Bitstudio intends to eventually include premium habitats with kid-safe chat and co-operative games.

The books, DVD, and virtual world are being translated into several languages for the European and Asian market. The first book in the My Animal Family series, Ella the Baby Elephant, is available now through the My Animal Family site and select retailers.

Said Bitstudio Games founder and creative director Wes Gray: "MAFkidsclub.com is a true collaborative effort between Bitstudio Games and Smart Kids Publishing. The My Animal Family book and DVD series will be a fun and educational experience for kids. The website we've developed increases the fun factor while maintaining a common theme with the book and DVD."