CHILDREN'S
Released: June 7, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2012
"Despite some room for improvement, this rendition lends itself equally to shared or independent reading and is likely to become as well-thumbed as it already looks. (iPad storybook app. 9-11)"
Though this adaptation of the classic cuts down on the original's more lyrical flights of fancy in favor of a closer focus on plot, the richly sentimental tone remains in full force.
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ADULT
Released: May 25, 2012
"Chicagoans in exile will feel all the more homesick, while Wilco fans, already well-served with music, concert footage and photographs from various sources, will absolutely want to have this in their collections. The price is right, too."
A splendid bit of orchestration by everybody's favorite alt-rock sextet, giving a view of performances in the City with Big Shoulders from backstage and the cheap seats alike.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 23, 2012
"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.
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ADULT
Released: May 22, 2012
"A captivating experience that encourages users to keep coming back for repeat visits."
The inimitable Attenborough conducts a fascinating interactive tour of the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and its legendary collection of fantastic greenery from around the globe.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 15, 2012
"A low-key, appealingly unpretentious twist on a familiar folk tale. (iPad storybook app. 5-7)"
A revised "Little Red Riding Hood," with unusually simple and effective illustrations and interactive features.
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ADULT
Released: May 14, 2012
"In all, a first-class photographic portfolio, intelligently aided by multimedia technology to provoke thought and discussion about the world around us."
Canadian photographer Burtynsky turns in a grand tour of the big, usually grimy world of petroleum.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 2, 2012
"A darling first app for little ones to share with their own moms. (iPad storybook app. 1-5) "
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 30, 2012
"Flo and her unusual offspring easily capture readers' hearts in this story of faith and love. Not bad for a chicken who can't lay eggs. (iPad storybook app. 3-8)"
A cluck-worthy story about a chicken with magical maternal instincts succeeds with flashes of visual wit and a lovable main character.
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ADULT
Released: April 26, 2012
"Some narrative weakness aside, a brilliantly designed app; the current benchmark for high-quality storytelling via tablet. "
Mary Shelley's classic rewritten and retooled, with an appealing gothic-style interface and ingeniously immersive format.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 19, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 11, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 31, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 27, 2012
"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.
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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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 24, 2012
"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
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 23, 2012
"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.
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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.
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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)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 15, 2012
"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)"
