Apple announced the availability of “iBooks Author” which allows users to create interactive digital books using powerful but intuitive templates.

Now anyone can create stunning iBook textbooks, history books, picture books, and more for iPad. Use Multi-Touch widgets to include interactive photo galleries, movies, Keynote presentations, 3D objects, and more. Then submit your finished work to the iBookstore with a few simple steps — before you know it, you (or your space advocacy organization) are published.

iBooks Author is available for free in the Mac App Store.  

Streaming video of Apple’s education event: