Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Book Apps of 2012: For Younger Readers (page 3)

Apps for Toddlers through early-elementary children.


Cover art for WHERE DO BALLOONS GO?
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 12, 2012
by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell, developed by Auryn Inc.

"Overall, the fanciful result is a storybook app with a far longer shelf life than most. (iPad storybook app. 4-9)"
Based on the traditional book of the same name, this interactive storybook takes balloon travel to all-new heights. Read full book review >
Cover art for EVEN MONSTERS GET SICK
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 5, 2012
by Michael Bruza, developed by Busy Bee Studios, illustrated by Michael Bruza

"Children with wheezles and sneezles of their own will sympathize with the droopy monster and perhaps feel a little less anxious about doctor visits, too. (iPad storybook app. 4-6)"
Zub looks like a bad bargain until his new young owner, Harry, realizes that the monster isn't sad and boring but actually ill. Read full book review >
Cover art for KODEE'S CANOE
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 30, 2012

"A very well-balanced offering that both educates and entertains. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)"
Little polar bear Kodee and his friend Raccoon learn about echoes in this suitably simple storybook for preschoolers and early readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for BIZZY BEAR BUILDS A HOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 21, 2012
developed by Nosy Crow

"Like the board book it is based on (Bizzy Bear, Let's Go to Work! 2012), this app has only a few pages, but each one is packed with features that encourage budding builders to linger as long as they like. (iPad storybook app. 6 mos.-3)"
Kids who love trucks and construction will identify with Bizzy as he dons his hard hat and "helps" the crew build a house. Read full book review >
Cover art for COLORS THAT LULI LOVES
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 7, 2012
by Rotem Omri, developed by Rotem Omri & Rachel Mislovaty, illustrated by Rotem Omri, translated by Mel Rosenberg

"Luli's love of colors comes across as both genuine and infectious. (iPad storybook app. 18 mo.-5)"
An appropriately bright primer on the major colors, this tour through the rainbow seems ideally suited to toddlers learning to associate words with objects. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRAGON BRUSH
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 23, 2012
illustrated by John Solimine, by Andy Hullinger, developed by Small Planet Digital, by John Solimine

"With its distinctive look, a great drawing element that's actually appropriate to the story and a moral that values cleverness over power, Bing-Wen's app is as rare and magical as the dragons he loves to paint. (iPad storybook app. 3-8)"
The story of a magical dragon brush that can bring painted objects to life casts its own spell. Read full book review >