Atmospheric sound effects and robust illustrations give this lightly abridged version of the classic all the extra swash it can buckle.
It opens with a wordless animated segment showing Billy Bones’ arrival at the Admiral Benbow Inn and ends with a final fade to black over slurred voices singing “Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.” In between, Stevenson’s yarn of buried treasure and treachery gets plenty of apt enhancements. Along with creaking timbers, crying sea gulls and other background sounds, nearly all of the frequent full- or partial-screen illustrations bear interactions. Tattooed figures mutter or comment (“Ay, keep diggin’, ye lubbers”), and muskets fire with a tap; there are also tilt-sensitive ropes, signs and shipboard scenes. A pull of the ribbon at the top of each double-columned screen brings down icons for hints, a chapter index and a shortcut to the opening page.
Though not the only seaworthy adaptation around, still a hearty swig of pirate adventure—just the ticket to entice young lubbers aboard. (iPad storybook app. 11-13)
