Tovana

Feel close to your kids. One small moment a day.

A few minutes where everyone gets a turn to talk and everyone feels heard. It starts with a big idea from a real thinker and a question you answer together.

Coming soon to Google Play

Android first, iPhone after. The book is on Amazon today.

  • 1,462 cards
  • 130 thinkers
  • No account
Tovana's home screen with the day's card
Ink drawing of Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau
“I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another.”
Walden, 1854

For your kid
Walking closer does not make minds closer. Talking does.
Ask
How do you feel close to a friend?

Their answer, kept on your phone

one of 1,462
Tovana's moment screen: a lamp, a short story in kid words and a question

The lights go low. The two of you talk.

Tap “Start our moment” and the screen goes quiet. A lamp comes on, you read the idea in plain words, and then comes the question. Not “how was your day”. Something they actually want to answer. Everyone gets a turn, and everyone grows their own thoughts.

The kid version of a card, its question, and Tap to record their answer

Hear what they really think.

Every idea comes in words a kid understands. Then record their answer in their own voice, up to 30 seconds, or write down what they said. Years from now you can hear how they thought at six, and again at nine.

Any five minutes can be the moment.

At bedtime

What is one good thing that happened today?
A question from Thoreau's card

In the car

Can you make everyone happy at the same time?
A question from Aesop's card

After school

What wakes up your mind?
A question from Montaigne's card

Their words stay yours.

The moments you share are the most personal thing on your phone. Tovana treats them that way.

Coming soon to Google Play
  • No account. Open the app and start.
  • On your phone, encrypted. Answers and recordings never leave it.
  • Nothing to hold hostage. No cloud archive, no paywall on your memories.
  • Your backup, your password. Save a file only you can open.

130 thinkers, told for kids.

Philosophers, poets and storytellers. Every idea carries its author's name, and comes with a version your kid understands.

  • Ink drawing of AesopAesop
  • Ink drawing of ConfuciusConfucius
  • Ink drawing of Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius
  • Ink drawing of Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft
  • Ink drawing of Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson
  • Ink drawing of Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau
Ezra Halevi, who made Tovana
“Every Friday after the meal, my father gave us a subject. Everyone got a turn to talk. We felt heard. We felt together. I wanted that feeling for my own kids.”

Ezra Halevi, who made Tovana · His story

Questions parents ask

What is Tovana?

Tovana helps parents and kids feel close, one short moment a day: a big idea from a real thinker and a question you answer together.

How long does a moment take?

A few minutes. You read one idea together in plain words, ask one question, and keep their answer if you want to. Nothing to prepare.

Who are the ideas from?

From 130 thinkers, philosophers, poets and storytellers such as Aesop, Confucius, Marcus Aurelius, Mary Wollstonecraft and Thoreau. Every card names its author.

Where do my child's answers go?

Nowhere. Their voice recordings and the words you write stay on your phone, encrypted. There is no account and nothing is uploaded. You can make a backup file that only your password opens.

Is Tovana on iPhone?

Not yet. Tovana is on Android today, and an iPhone version is on the way.

Tonight could be the first one.

Coming soon to Google Play

Android first, iPhone after. The book is on Amazon today.