Strawberry-haunted crocodiles, mischievous hares, home-hungry worms, operatic pigs and high society cats captivate and delight in this six-story app set.
Kasparavicius fancifully paints anthropomorphized animals awash in textural watercolors that bring the narrative to life. Of the six stories in the set, the strongest are: "Strawberry Day," about a gluttonous crocodile who learns that too much of a good thing is still too much; "The Singer," the charming tale of a piglet who defies his critics and earns his operatic wings; and "Miaowland," a high-brow yarn about a land of royal cats who no longer stoop to chasing their own mice. The other stories fall short at times, dragging in the telling, lacking illustrative support for key scenes or missing a strong ending. Parents who follow along will likely find themselves pressed into service to define the rich vocabulary, which includes words like “didactic,” “nocturnal,” “connoisseur” and “impoverished.” Narrator Kerry Shawn Keys' lively interpretation of the stories elevates the entertainment value for children of all ages. The animation and interactivity levels here may not be as slick or sophisticated as some other apps', but it is is consistently engaging throughout.
Well worth the whimsical excursion. (iPad storybook app. 6-10)
