Best apps: My Mom's the Best

Free App

Ages 2 - 4

My Mom's the Best!

Photo:  Snappyant

Filled with charming and hilarious illustrations showing why baby animals think their moms are the best, this book app is perfect for you to share with your little one. The baby bear mentions his mom's hugs, so he is seen enveloped in a bear hug where he is squeezed tightly. The hippo mommy excels at hula-hooping, where the mommy frog is a dancer. The pattern of hearing why the mom is the best, followed by a surprising animation, will make your toddler or preschooler giggle.   

Available at the iTunes Store

Best App: Little Fox Music Box

If you have been following Fireflies for awhile, you know that one of my favorite apps for young children is Nighty, Night.  By the way - I'm still crazy about it and have even paid to add extra animals.  Love everything about that app - the visuals, the narration, the tone - the interaction, (What child doesn't love turning off or on a light?)- everything!

I was delighted when I downloaded Little Fox Music Box to review and discovered it was created by Goodbean, the same group that created my beloved Nighty, Night!   

The app is illustrated in great detail and the various screens are simply beautiful.  After choosing a song from the opening screen, the child can sing along with the song while interacting with several characters in the scene.    Between the three songs and the composing room included in Little Fox Music Box, there are over 100 interactive elements incorporated into this app.

While singing along with Old MacDonald, children can make dancing chickens do acrobatics; wake up farmer MacDonald, give a bathing pig a shower, grow tulips and help a cow pick flowers for a friend.  You can change the seasons by touching the icon in the upper left corner which also changes the reactions of the animals.  For instance, the cow begins to ice skate instead of picking daisies.

My only complaint is that there are only three songs (hopefully they will be adding more), however, it is still worth the money with all of its interactive choices.   The three songs included are: London Bridge, Evening Song, and Old MacDonald.   Along with songs is a karaoke version for each scene as well as a music studio. Tap the tree on the main screen to visit Fox Studio where children are encouraged to make music with Fox and his friends.  Every object in the studio makes a different noise and is sure to delight young children.

I played Little Fox Music Box on my iPhone - but am looking forward to seeing it on the larger iPad screen and enjoying even more of this beautifully illustrated musical app.

Deni Corbett

Favorite Apps: Merry Christmas!

I went on a hunt for Christmas apps this month even though they have a limited play/interest period.   The following are three totally different apps to enjoy, each celebrating the Christmas season.  Enjoy the music of Tchaikovsky, make some Christmas cookies and build a Nativity Scene.

The Nutcracker Musical Storybook

by Mouse King Media

I'm more a fan of the music than the storyline but this app does a great job of introducing children to both - the music and the story.  Every child should be given a chance to recognize such classics as the March and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.  (How many of you just started humming the beginning of The March?) 

The reader joins Clara and The Nutcracker Prince in a fully animated storybook adventure of the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker Ballet.  The original artwork is created by Yoko Tanaka and is paired up with "full symphonic orchestral excerpts of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score."   

The storyline is a bit fragmented.  For instance, at one point, the nutcracker breaks but in the next scene is whole again with no explanation as to how he was "healed".  Also, the font chosen for the text is difficult for an emerging reader to read.  It's a lovely font, but not practical for early readers.  

This app is an excellent introduction to the story and music of The Nutcracker Ballet. 
I believe it is available for both android devices as well as the iPhone and iPad.  The cost is around $3.00.

A Christmas Cookie Maker
by Crazy Cats Inc

Mary Kline will be sharing one of our all time favorite books next week; think Christmas cookies & character traits.  This is a delightful app to share with your child after reading our Christmas cookie book...this app is just plain fun.

The graphics and cookie designs are terrific and easy to manipulate for young children.  After downloading the app, it takes only a few minutes to figure out how to create your own special Christmas cookie.   Any child could beat my "figuring out the app" time, I'm sure.  What I appreciated the most were the many decorating choices.  I can't wait to share this app with my little ones over Christmas.

Children mix the ingredients, use cookie cutters to create their cookies and then place them in the oven.  Once the timer goes off, it's time to decorate the cookies with various shades of icing, candies and so much more.  

You can even select different Christmas dishes on which to display your cookies!   Once your masterpiece is finished, you might want to share your creation with Grandma by emailing a picture of your Christmas cookie. 

This is a great, "hand the iPhone to your impatient child in the restaurant while waiting for dinner to arrive" app.   (Oh, and did I mention that it's free?)

My Nativity Scene
by Life's Good Entertainment

You can build your nativity scene inside on a table
(don't forget to start with the moss) or outside.

There are over 60 items to use to create your nativity scene.

One click and your nativity scene goes from daytime to nighttime.
You can also choose your weather: sunny or snowy.

I'm not 100% crazy about this app - even though I really wanted it to be awesome.   However, at 99 cents, you can't go wrong.   The only real problem I have with it is the figures are a bit small for little fingers.  Please comment below and share with us if you found a gem Christmas app to share.

Enjoy!
Deni Corbett

My Favorite App: Dear Zoo

Sweet and true to the simplicity of this classic book, Dear Zoo is a keeper if you are looking for a special iPad book app for young children.  Below is a review from Kirkus along with a video showing children interacting with Dear Zoo, the app.

Kirkus Review

If you write to the zoo to send you a pet, you never know what you’ll get. 

Based on Campbell’s 1982 lift-the-flap nursery favorite, this imagines what happens when you send the zoo a letter, asking for a pet. Page after page introduces a new pet that, once revealed, proves not to be quite right for a variety of reasons... until the perfect one arrives. The animation, while simple, is well suited to the story, and the interactivity level is just right. 

Toddlers will especially love tapping the crates to reveal the animals one by one. Swipe the elephant, and it grows bigger on the page, trumpeting. The grumpy camel’s eye follows readers' fingers as they move about, the snake slithers across the screen with a finger swipe and the monkey actually "grabs" onto readers' fingers. Best of all, the story makes its way into the digital world with great intention, serving worn-out parents well. There is simply no guesswork. The "About This App" option on the title page provides detailed navigation tips for getting the most out of the story, and goes even further to indicate all the interactive elements for each animal. There is a matching game available from the title page as well, which aids in word/story retention. The illustrations, while a bit one-dimensional, mirror the book.

Overall, this app is a keeper, an animal classic that improves in the digital age. 

Go to the iTunes Store - cost $2.99

Best Apps: Wild About Books

From iTunes:

The award-winning picture book roars to interactive life as your kids tilt, swipe, and tap their way through this rollicking rhymed story that’s filled with a safari of surprises.  Whether you’re making monkeys flip, beach balls bounce, animals stampede, or bears burp, you and your kids are sure to laugh, learn, and get wild about books.  This new offering from Random House Children’s Books, the trusted publisher of beloved children’s classics, is the perfect app for story time or anytime.

SPECIAL FEATURES: 

- Explore 16 animated and interactive scenes 

- Tilt the iPad to explore the unique 3-D environment 

- Tap and swipe animals and other illustrations throughout the story to bring them to life.  

- Use the intuitive navigation wheel to easily revisit your favorite pages.

TWO WAYS TO READ: 
-Watch and listen as words are highlighted while the story is read aloud. 
-Turn off the narration and read at your own pace.

I love the look and design of this app.   However, I wish that you could swipe to turn pages. You have to tap on arrows at the bottom left and right to move through the story.  Also, the price point is a bit high - $4.99 at the time of this post.  If you don't mind paying the cost of this app (still less than the price of the book, if that helps.), it will be a delightful addition to your app library.

View this video by Random House to experience
Wild About Books, the app.

Best Apps: PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit

PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of the best children's book adaptations I've seen. The reading interactive elements are stellar -- but what makes the app really stand out is its detailed use of sound and movement with the pop-up elements. Every image is filled with several interactive elements that will enthrall children and adults. Flick the leaves falling from trees in the artwork and they'll come floating out into the book. Touch Peter or his siblings and they'll giggle with delight. The narration and music, meanwhile, are soothing and bring Beatrix Potter's classic tale to life. It takes the children's book app to a new level -- and is worth every penny of its higher-than-other-book-apps price tag.  But don't just take my word for it - watch the following video from Loud Crow Interactive, the designers of this fine app.

Note:  It does take up more memory than many interactive children's apps.

CLICK HERE for the app's website

Best Apps: Monkey Math School Sunshine

Ages 3 - 6

This app is from the creators of two of my favorite pre-school apps: “Monkey Preschool Lunchbox” and "When I Go Up!" Join your child’s favorite monkey in math games and activities in a playfully designed beach-themed world. 

Monkey Math School Sunshine allows your child to build fundamental math skills while they are endlessly entertained. Your child will count, add and sort their way through engaging games with uninterrupted play.

ADD IT UP and TAKE IT AWAY Use your addition and subtraction skills to solve math problems. Trusty crab assistants supply multiple-choice options.


PATTERNS  Monkey has a problem: Objects keep popping out of his bucket, creating a pattern - but one piece is missing! Help Monkey by completing the pattern with the choices provided.

SHAPES Is it an octagon? Or maybe a hexagon? Count each side of these shapes and help Monkey figure it out. 


SEQUENCES   Monkey has a group of numbers in the right order, but some are missing. Help him complete the sequence with the correct numbers. 

BUBBLE POP  Monkey is running out of time! Pop all the bubbles that have either the right number or the right amount of objects inside before the time runs out!

LESS/MORE  Monkey loves to blow bubbles, when he does, groups of shells, fish or turtles are inside each bubble! Use your expertise to figure out which bubble has either the most or least objects inside.


BIGGER/SMALLER  Which bubble has the bigger number? Which bubble has the smaller one? Help Monkey figure it out by popping the correct bubble.

CONNECT THE DOTS  Baby Turtle is stuck on the beach and she needs your help to get to the sea! Connect the dots to show her the way. 


WRITE IT UP!  Help Monkey learn his numbers by tracing them in the sand. 

Enjoy!

Deni Corbett

Favorite Apps: Sandra Boynton Apps

I love reading books to my children that also appeal to my sense of silliness and humor.  Boyton books make me smile as I read them so I don't mind reading them over and over again.  They are both quirky and fun.


If you haven't discovered Sandra Boyton books and illustrated albums, go immeditately to your local library and check them out - especially the following:





Books

1.  Belly Button Book (a personal family favorite)
2.  Moo, Baa, La, La, La &
3.  The Going to Bed Book


Albums
4. Blue Moo, the album.  Jukebox hits from the past
Boyton has created 4 albums each with a different focus and sound.  Philadelphia Chickens is my favorite album.   You will hear more about this particular album in the future as we are creating a "Fireflies Presents" night based on it.


The following video entitled The Making of Blue Moo, is a behind the scenes account of how so many stars from the past came together to make this album.   You will enjoy the Making of Blue Moo as it gives you a fun insight into the author/illustrator/mom, Sandra Boyton.

Now on to the purpose of this post - sharing some of my favorite apps!  The very first digital Sandra Boynton book app is terrific!  Boynton Moo Media teamed up with award-winning Loud Crow Interactive, to bring to life her beloved, funny, wildly best-selling bedtime board book, The Going to Bed Book.

5.  The Going to Bed Book [digitally interactive]

I must to share one more.  Her best-selling book of all time has also been turned into a digitally interactive format with sound, movement and "gloriously unpredictable interactivity."

6.  Moo, Baa, La, La, La

Favorite Apps Update:
For those of you who are loyal fans of Nighty Night, (reviewed February 15, 2012) they just updated their app with new animals.  There is a cost to update, but it's worth it!  Oh, do I ever love this bedtime app.  If you haven't purchased Nighty Night yet, and have a young child who reaches out to turn off the lights as you pass each light switch... just buy it - don't even bother reading the review!  It's just that wonderful for little ones.   

Best Apps: When I Grow Up...

Money Preschool: When I Grow Up by THUP Games is the second game in the Monkey Preschool series. The first, Monkey Preschool Lunchbox (another favorite of mine) involves more thinking & learning.  This one is just plain fun!  


One of my non-scientific experiments for judging best preschool apps is:  What is the first app my grandchildren want to play on my phone or iPad when they are visiting?   When I Grow Up is a favorite!


Children choose a hat, a top, and bottoms for their monkey.   Depending on what they choose, the monkey dances and plays with items that go along with their chosen "occupation".    At 99 cents - this app is a winner and a must have if you are a parent or grandparent of a preschooler.

Features:

• Play along with four different lovable animated monkeys.
• interactive toys and backgrounds encourage exploration.
• Inspires creativity with tons of combinations.
• Hundreds of rich graphics, vibrant sounds and beautiful captivating special effects.
• Loaded with giggle inducing animations and surprises.
• Stickers! Kids get a sticker rewards to put up on their preschool wall.
• Designed for preschoolers — no confusing menus or navigation.
• Open-ended, unlimited play!

Go to the iTUNES APP STORE

April favorite apps: Two garden themed apps reviewed.

Grandma's Garden

"Join this charming dancing Grandma and all her silly veggies for fun adventures in the garden! Grandma’s Garden is a best-in-class educational children’s game loaded with fun activities and enriching content for kids!"  website


This is a simple app that is just right for preschoolers.   At the time of this review, the cost was 99 cents - iTunes store.   Check the website link above to view a list of the educational objectives covered in this app.

Grow Your Garden

From the The Learning Yard website: "A mobile game designed from the ground up to teach kids basic arithmetic in a fun and engaging way. Fill up buckets of different sizes with water and then use them to water your garden just the right amount. Solve levels by pouring water from one bucket to another, refilling, and emptying buckets, then water your garden. Unlock more plants for your garden by completing levels and challenges."


Grow Your Garden was more sophisticated than I anticipated it would be.  Its 12 levels go beyond one to one correspondance.   This app is a great tool for reinforcing logic and problem solving skills.   Players must move water from one bucket to another in order to end up with just the right amount of water for plants.  Depending on the ability level of your child, I would recommend this app for 6 years and above.   It is available from iTunes for $1.99.

Favorite Apps: Dr. Seuss Band

Since we are celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss this week, let's look at a Seuss-themed music app.  Ages 3 - 10

Dr. Seuss Band turns your iPad or iPhone into an exotic Seussian horn with parts that can be swapped out.  There are playable keys with three octaves for children to explore.  They can play along with Seussian melodies or create their own music.  The child plays to unlock new instruments, silly effects and catchy songs (Guitar Hero like). There are over 120 combinations of sounds.


I actually played with this app longer than I would like to admit - it is just plain fun.  I'm a big fan of children experimenting with music - rhythm and melody - and this is the perfect app for just that.  This app is available through iTunes and right now it's on sale...FREE! (You just can't beat that deal!)  Younger children will enjoy the free-play mode of the Dr. Seuss Band and older children will enjoy actually playing along with the melodies.  

Click for iTunes Store

Deni Corbett

Favorite Apps: Nighty Night!

Last month I shared my favorite interactive book app, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  Nighty Night! is equally delightful.   It is a dear app to experience with your toddler/preschooler at bedtime.

The narrator begins with, "Night falls. The moon is high. All the people are ready to sleep as they turn off the lights. But wait! Look at the farmhouse. There are still some lights on. The animals are sleepy, too. Do you want to turn off the lights?" A peaceful farm appears, where you can tap on any one of seven lit areas on the page. The next scene shows an animal still awake (with a light switch nearby). 


Children love touching the farm animals and activating their unique animations before finding and turning off the light switch.  Once the light is turned off, each of the seven animals closes their eyes, snuggles and dozes off to sleep.  (The lights cannot be turned back on and as a result, the story keeps moving towards bedtime - not playtime.)  There is no text, so you cannot "read" the book together.  You do have the option to turn off the narration, and children can make up a story using the animals as the main characters.

I'm a fan of Nighty, Night.  I love the paper-cutout illustrations.  I love the joy on my little one's face when he turns off the light "all by mine-self"! (What young child doesn't love to do something all by himself, like turning off lights?)  I love Nighty Night! because of the simplicity of the story.  Did I mention that I love this delightful bedtime experience?   

Deni Corbett

Nighty Night! is available at the iTunes Store

iPhone - .99     iPad - $1.99

Favorite Book Apps: Mr. Morris Lessmore

Let's start with the best of the best, shall we?   

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
by
Moonbot Studios

I measure all other Book Apps by this one, and so far the rest fall short.   This interactive story has everything you could want in a story, let alone in an interactive app.   It was the first Book App to hit #1 on the iPad App Store - and for good reason.  
                                          
 iTunes Description:

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, "Morris Lessmore" is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor.  Morris is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story.  Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a new narrative experience that harkens back to silent films and MGM Technicolor musicals.  "Morris Lessmore" is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time.

I'm so crazy about this app that I think having it is enough reason to go out and get an iPad (in case you needed one more reason to get an iPad)!  Oh and don't miss the screen where the characters are lined up to check out books.  Pull the books over the characters and watch what happens.


You won't want to close this post without checking out the video below.  Sign up for Fireflies now, so that you don't miss future Book and Learning Apps reviews.
                                                                        Deni Corbett
Purchase for iPad from iTunes for $4.99

http://youtu.be/z38EdtRHlnA