This interactive story for the iPad is FREE again. It is a story written for kids 5+ about a boy and his pet monster. Kids can follow along or read on their own as Harry tries to discover what is wrong with his monster. The artwork is appealing and there are animations on every page. It is a nicely done story with a positive message told by Harry, the boy. Perfect 🙂
Recommended!
FREE for a limited time – Montessori* Letter Sounds for the iPhone/iPad, an app that focuses on teaching letter sounds. Based on the Montessori* method, Montessori* Letter Sounds has 4 levels: I Spy, Letter Sounds, Mix & Match, and Sound it Out. In “I Spy” (up to 3 years), kids identify sounds – at the beginning, at the end, and in the word. “Letter Sounds” helps kids (up to 4 years) memorize letter shapes & sounds. Kids trace the letter, watch how the letter is formed, then write it in the sand. The letter is identified by sound rather than by its name. After earning enough marbles, kids may go on to “Mix and Match” (from age 4) which combines hearing and seeing the letters. The final level is “Sound it Out” (from age 4 1/2) which requires kids to write words with a moveable alphabet. The app also has a tool box which includes: the phonetic alphabet in script/cursive/upper case, a notebook for tracing the letters, the sandbox for learning how to write letters, and the image box to increase vocabulary. FYI – it is the short vowel sounds that are taught in this app and the sound for A is NOT the A as in apple/alligator/cat/ etc. It is more like a (the word) or the A at the end of toga. This app can be used by more than one child and can be switched to French.
Eye Paint MyDairy is FREE for a limited time for iPhone/iPad. This app lets your child paint illustrations from Japanese artist, Mitsue Haya, in a very unique way. Kids”paint” using their cameras to capture the colors, textures, patterns around them. To begin, a child chooses one of the 10 included illustrations. He/she taps to select the area to be filled in and the creativity begins! Work can be saved to the photo library for sharing or printing. Easy, fun, and very creative!!
Also available from this developer are EyePaint Animals and EyePaint Monsters. EyePaint Monsters is also FREE right now. EyePaint Animals is $.99.
EyePaint MyDairy EyePaint Monsters
Cinderella – Nosy Crow animated picture book is on sale in the U.S. iTunes store today for only $.99 – it normally sells for $5.99. I normally do not download and review anything but FREE apps but this one had so many accolades that I decided to treat myself 🙂 I was not disappointed – it is darling and loaded with fun interactivity for kids. Kids can help Cinderella clean the kitchen, help the king stack his invitations to the ball, dress the step-sisters for the party, build the magical carriage with the Fairy Godmother, choose dance music for Cinderella & the Prince, and more! There are even mirrors throughout the story where kids can see their own reflection! VERY cool example of what a digital book should be!
FREE for a limited time – Pete and the Secret of Flying is an adorable interactive e-book for the iPad about a little bird named Pete who has a dream.The story takes place back in the time when birds went everywhere on foot. Pete dreams of playing in the clouds and decides that perhaps he should try his wings out. And so the story unfolds… The narration & text can be turned on or off. The graphics are great – simple drawings in blue and white with a bright yellow birds! Kids 2+ will love playing with Pete – he interacts when he’s tapped. Really cute for little ones!
WOW – here’s one you don’t want to miss!! FREE for a limited time – Cookie Next Door-Rainy Days. This app is a current choice in the “New & Noteworthy” section of the app store. Kids become storytellers in this animated adventure. Their speech, songs, and rhymes bring Cookie and his friends alive. The app includes a Creative Comic Book, a Voice Over Studio, and an Animated Stage Projector. Creative Comic Book utilizes storyboards to guide kids through the storytelling experience. In the Voice Over Studio, kids can change the pitch of the characters’ voices. As kids tell the story their speech, singing, etc. is transformed into the voices of the characters. Once the story is complete, the Animated Stage turns it into a play with dancing props! This app is very creative, very fun and it’s great for developing oral language skills. I am looking forward to more adventures of Cookie and friends!!
FREE for your iPhone/iPad, MyScript Calculator is an amazing app. It performs mathematical operations using your handwriting! The app is simple to use and intuitive. Just write the mathematical equation on the screen. MyScript technology converts the symbols and numbers to digital text and delivers the answers. It supports the following operations: basic operations (+, -, x, ÷, +/‒, 1/x), additional operations ( %, √, x!, |x|), powers/exponentials (ℯx, xy , x2), trigonometry, and more. Very cool!!
Currently FREE – Spell + Friends is the perfect app to help prepare students for the National Spelling Bee. The Spell + Friends word list includes words from Paideia, the Consolidated Word List (CWL), regional/national bees since the 1970s, and Scripps’ Consolidated Word List (CWL). There are over 2,000 words with clear and crisp pronunciations, definitions, and etymology. The app has three modes: learn, practice, and compete. In the practice mode, the word is pronounced and the student spells it by typing it into the blank. The definition, word origin, and a sentence using the word are also provided in this mode. The app also keeps track of words that were missed. Students can log into the Game Center to compete if they wish. A great app for older students!!
Mibblio is an interactive musical/storybook app for kids. Children read the illustrated story-songs called “mibblets” as they listen to the catchy songs. They can also jam along on a variety of instruments. The app has a keyboard along the bottom of the screen with a choice of 8 different instruments. They can also use a tambourine or cowbell to tap along to the beat of the song. Some “mibblets” are based on well-known songs such as The Farmer in the Dell. Others are original compositions. The FREE download includes your choice of 1 “mibblet” with additional “mibblets” available as in-app purchases.
I chose I Like ’em Sunny Side Up which was adorable! Preview the app and all of the “mibblets” online @Mibblio – An interactive musical children’s book app for iPad. What a SUPER cute app for kids!
Just released and FREE – Shrinky Kid’s Boogie Box by Mindshapes. This app features 4 stories about Shrinky and his magic shoebox – the first story is unlocked and the other 3 are available as in-app purchases. Strictly Hoofer is a story about a horse who is sad because he has lost his dancing music. His friends cheer him up with the help of the Boogie Box. The Boogie Box is an interactive music making app with over 500 possible combinations of instruments! Kids can jam with the band to create their own music after reading the story. Teachers could use this story to as a springboard to creative writing. Have kids create shrinky-dinks of themselves and write their own adventure 🙂
Very cute, very creative, very fun – check it out: Mindshapes Ltd – YouTube
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