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Best Book Apps of 2012

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Cover art for CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 7, 2012
CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
by Peter Guttman, photographed by Peter Guttman, developed by Banzai Labs
"This impressive photo set makes for a stunning, if occasionally overwhelming geographical experience. (iPad informational app. 3 & up)"
A photo gallery–as-app is light on features yet becomes a moving visual statement communicated through the faces of hundreds of kids from around the world. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOODNIGHT SAFARI
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 11, 2012
GOODNIGHT SAFARI
illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell, developed by Polk Street Press
"A simple, lovely lullaby. (iPad storybook app. 1-4)"
A mellow bedtime book about baby animals preparing to sleep. Read full book review >
Cover art for A JAZZY DAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 13, 2012
A JAZZY DAY
developed by The Melody Book
"A winning app that could easily be deemed the jazz version of The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Smooth. (iPad storybook app. 2-8)"
This highly user-friendly primer gives kids both a macro and micro lesson about jazz music. Read full book review >
Cover art for MR. ROBOT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 20, 2012
MR. ROBOT
illustrated by San San, developed by Looda Studio
"Not particularly therapeutic, but the art and the plot are engaging--as is the translation, which is so consistently amusing that the awkwardness may well be intentional. (iPad storybook app. 10-14)"
A strange but beguiling mix of surreal storytelling and lighthearted psychological advice. Read full book review >
Cover art for BATS!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 30, 2012
Kirkus Star BATS!: FURRY FLIERS OF THE NIGHT
by Mary Kay Carson, developed by Bookerella and Story Worldwide
"A winner: beautifully illustrated, nicely designed and solidly informative. (iPad informational app. 6-9)"
A seamless blend of realistic graphics, high-resolution photography and well-chosen interactive features makes for an inviting introduction to bat behavior and types. Read full book review >
Cover art for WORDFLEX TOUCH DICTIONARY
ADULT
Released: Feb. 8, 2012
WORDFLEX TOUCH DICTIONARY
developed by Schematix
"A welcome addition to a logophile's arsenal--the last word, we learn, coming from an Arabic phrase meaning "house of industry," though this is a lot more fun than all that."
An iPad-only app that displays networks of word associations in trees that unfold into branches and sub-branches of meaning. Read full book review >