This beautifully illustrated, warmly narrated story encourages readers to help put all of the farm animals to bed.
Let’s face it: If a sleepy parent is trying to get a toddler to wind down and go to sleep, there are certain book apps to avoid at bedtime. This isn’t one of them. In fact, it may be a surprising ally in the effort to get little ones to bed. As the screen pans a tranquil nighttime countryside, crickets chirp and houses go dark as inhabitants turn out their lights for the night. But wait: All the lights are still on in the farmhouse. Can you help turn out the lights? Touching illuminated areas takes readers to the “bedroom” of each animal: a pig, a cow, a dog, a duck, a sheep, a hen (with two chicks) and even a pond full of fish. When the light switch is turned off in each environment, the animals settle down peacefully and go to sleep. The illustrations are truly stunning, and the animation and sound effects are both tranquil and charming. The one and only negative is that if readers leave the app in the middle of the “story,” they must return to that particular page the next time you open it; starting over isn’t an option.
An enchanting way to transport toddlers and preschoolers to dreamland. (iPad storybook app. 2-4)
