Category Archives: interactive book apps

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Spatter and Spark

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spatter & spark

Just released yesterday and FREE  – Spatter and Spark, a cute interactive book from Polk Street Press. Spatter (an artistic porcupine) and Spark (an inventive fox) team up to figure out how to get a look at Hubert, the baby crow, so that Spatter can paint Hubert’s picture. Kids are invited to help as Spatter & Spark problem solve their way through the story. There are 10 interactive scenes within the app. Each scene is beautifully illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell, the illustrator of Goodnight Safari (another wonderful FREE app from the same developer  – see my August 28th review). The story, primarily for 4 – 6 year olds, is very cute with purposeful interactivity that adds to the story. Spatter and Spark could also be used with older students to encourage them to think and write about their own inventions. An activity pack (with 4 additional activities) is available as an in-app purchase. Very nicely done – recommended!!

Spatter & Spark - Polk Street Press LLC

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Even Monsters Get Sick

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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!

Even Monsters Get Sick - Busy Bee Studios

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Cinderella – Nosy Crow animated

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cinderella

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!
Cinderella – Nosy Crow animated picture book - Nosy Crow

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Pete and the Secret of Flying HD

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pete

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!

Pete and the secret of flying HD - Shape Minds and Moving Images GmbH

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Mibblio

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mibblio

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!

Mibblio - Mibblio

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Shrinky Kid’s Boogie Box

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shrinky

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

Shrinky Kid's Boogie Box - Mindshapes Limited

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AzawhistleKids

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everything has a home

FREE for a limited time, Everything Has a Home by Azawhistle Kids is the story of two friends who tackle the problem of a very messy room. Narrated by David Dayan Fisher, it is the story of Tejas who wants to clean up his room and surprise his mom. But… he is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the mess that “someone” has created. His best friend, Lollipop, helps him to organize his environment. Kids lend a hand as they place interactive objects in the correct place. Tejas and Lollipop use yoga & meditation as they inspire kids to tidy up.

AzawhistleKids - Leslie Hendry

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Art ABC

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art abc

FREE today, Art ABC for the iPhone/iPad. Like all alphabet books, this app teaches kids the names & sounds of each letter. What makes it unique is that it also incorporates famous works of art. Each letter of the alphabet is presented on a fine art background. There is also a hidden object (with the featured letter) in the background. Kids explore the page by tapping to reveal each object –  each in a different way! The app also contains a list of all the famous art included in the app – titles, artists, nationality, medium used, year, and location of the painting. This app could also be used with older students in art class. Nicely done!!

ART ABC - hwa pyung song

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Jack and the Beanstalk by Mindshapes

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FREE again – Jack and the Beanstalk, an app for the iPhone/iPad – this interactive read-along is a humorous, modern version of a classic tale. The app has 2 options: Read by Myself or Read to Me. The words are highlighted as they are read to help the emerging reader. The animations & illustrations are delightful with interactivity on every page. Teachers could use this app to compare and contrast this modern version to the classic version! This app is really cute and definitely worth downloading!!

The National Parenting Publication Awards: Honors winner in the Children’s Media/Virtual category

Jack and the Beanstalk by Mindshapes - Mindshapes Limited

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Dino-Store Storybook

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dino-store

FREE for a limited time – Dino-Store, a funny interactive story for early readers. Leo and his father go to the store to get eggs and chose a carton of HUGE ones. 12 baby dinosaurs hatch out and that’s where the fun begins! Kids can choose to follow along or read on their own as they enjoy the cute illustrations and fun interactions. And…the story line leaves it open for a sequel! This book would be great for teaching story sequence or as a springboard to writing about the dinosaurs’ further adventures.

Dino-Store Storybook - Bluemarker