Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Book Apps of 2012


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Cover art for CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 7, 2012
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
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
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
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

"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
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 >
Cover art for TICK BAIT'S UNIVERSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 8, 2012
by Marc Gamble, illustrated by Liza Woodruff, developed by You University Apps

"This well-designed odyssey truly does put the universe at viewers' fingertips. (iPad informational app. 6-12)"
A "powers of 10" app that takes young explorers from quarks to the furthest reaches of the observable universe. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE EDIBLE SUIT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 23, 2012
by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jon Higham, developed by Tizio BV

"Smooth pans of the double-screen illustrations and interactive features that are as high in child appeal as the sidesplitting plot add up to an unusually successful crossover to the digital domain. (iPad storybook app. 6-9)"
Rapid tapping calls up cascades of pigs, pork chops and more from this lightly edited version of Lear's hilarious "The New Vestments." Read full book review >
Cover art for LOST LARRY
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 7, 2012
by Graham Nunn, illustrated by Graham Nunn, developed by Wasabi Productions

"Clean, simple, seamless--just right for the nursery-school set or children with special needs. (iPad storybook/dexterity app. 1-3)"
A little green lizard will trail a fingertip home in this mini-Odyssey, the third of Larry's interactive outings. Read full book review >
Cover art for OWL AND CAT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 9, 2012
by Edward Lear, developed by NitroLab, illustrated by Ewa Podles

"A triumphant blend of classic literature and tablet technology. (iPad storybook app. 2-5)"
Feline and fowl profess their love for one another in this winning adaptation of Lear's popular 1871 nonsense poem. Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE FOX MUSIC BOX
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 15, 2012

"This spectacular synthesis of elements creates magic on the iPad. Parents and kids won't want to tear themselves away. (iPad music app. 3-10)"
A melodious music app combines artistic creativity with top-notch execution. Read full book review >
Cover art for LEONARD
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 15, 2012
illustrated by Timothy Penner, developed by endloop, by Ink Robin

"Well told, cleverly illustrated and beautifully supported with interactive surprises that make sense and are great fun, this is a stellar example of iPad storytelling. (iPad storybook app. 4-8)"
Imagination makes all the difference in this story of one boy's quest for new friends. Read full book review >
Cover art for OVER IN THE OCEAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 16, 2012

"With a format that includes science, math, art, music and reading, it still manages to be what learning should be--fun. (iPad informational app. 4-8)"
This beautifully illustrated counting and singalong app version of the 2004 book introduces young readers to the creatures of the coral reef. Read full book review >
Cover art for PETE'S ROBOT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 23, 2012
developed by Heartdrive Media

"There's a sunny, boisterous sense of fun about the whole thing that's positively endearing; both robot and app have got a lot of heart. (iPad storybook app. 4-10)"
An impressively scruffy app with scribbly artwork and nary a straight line to speak of, this mix of low-fi presentation and top-shelf interactivity is a unique pleasure. Read full book review >
Cover art for ALTERNATIVE STORY: RED RIDING HOOD
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 24, 2012
developed by ZigZag Studio

"Good-natured fun and some well-designed interactive elements distinguish this fairy-tale remake. (iPad storybook app. 4-8) "
Over-the-top and hokey, but somehow this "choose your adventure" fairy tale works by never taking itself too seriously Read full book review >
Cover art for HORSE MAGIC
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 26, 2012

"Well-used technology paired nicely with solid characters make this a promising series opener. (iPad fantasy app. 8-10)"
An interactive introduction to three female friends linked by their love of horses and a fantastical adventure. Read full book review >
Cover art for GIFT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 27, 2012
by Andrea J. Buchanan, illustrated by Alexis Seabrook

"A fantastical and historical ghost story that benefits from technology and the presence of young love. (Paranormal romance. 15-17)"
An interactive ghost tale weaves together historical fiction and a supernatural love story with satisfying results. Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE LOST RABBIT FINDS A FAMILY
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 31, 2012
by Lemniscates, developed by iLUBUC

"Brief, but loaded with appeal for younger readers and pre-readers. (iPad storybook app. 3-5)"
An abandoned bunny doesn't stay homeless for long in this understated, simply illustrated import. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WRONG BOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 11, 2012
by Nick Bland, illustrated by Nick Bland, developed by Wheelbarrow

"A story is only as engaging as its storyteller; this winsome offering leads the way in one crucial area where many digital storybooks fall tellingly short. (iPad storybook app. 2-5)"
This short, imaginative tale simply wasn't meant to be but is so fantastically narrated, readers won't soon forget. Read full book review >
Cover art for HANSEL AND GRETEL ANIMATED STORYBOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 19, 2012
developed by Epic Tales

"Set apart by outstanding visuals and a tongue-in-cheek tone, if lacking the psychodrama of more traditional variants. (iPad storybook app. 8-11)"
Illustrations and animations done in a style strongly reminiscent of classic Disney feature-length cartoons boost this rendition of the tale over the zillions of other digital versions. Read full book review >