Regarding cookupbooks specifically, you already can read the entire book online, just click the magnifying glass associated with a particular book. And as mentioned, we're working hard to improve the user interface!
To view the books just click "My Books" and then click the magnifying glass icon for any book you want to "look inside" of. Also, each account gets 5 freebies so you can download the stock or customized version of any of those as well.
I agree testimonials are a must. We also want to get VIDEOS of teachers and parents working one-on-one with the students and their cooked up books.
Thanks Daniel this is great feedback! We'll definitely incorporate them (I'm the programmer).
The basics:
1) An account includes 5 free books (it should say "you have 5 book credits" on the left navigation) and unlimited students.
2) All accounts have at least ONE student. If you are a parent with 3 children, or a teacher with 30 you'll want to sort your books (and their customizations) by "student".
3) All books are complete with text and pictures.
4) Books are purchased in blocks ("credits"), i.e., if you purchase 10 books you'll have 10 book credits. It's THEN that you can click the dollar sign and "acquire" the book.
5) Books can be customized after they are "acquired".
6) Stock and custom books can be downloaded (in PDF) after they are "acquired" (the icons are terrible right now, sorry!).
7) ALL books are customizable. There are "suggested customizations" as part of the reading program, but you can customize everything (which could result in an entirely different book) if you so desired. You can customize a book only ONCE.