Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Book Apps of 2012 (page 5)


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Cover art for B.B. WOLF
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 15, 2012
by Debbie Fong, illustrated by Debbie Fong

"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. Read full book review >
Cover art for KINGDOM OF PLANTS WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
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. 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 >
Cover art for THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING TOUR OF CHICAGO
ADULT
Released: May 25, 2012
developed by Wilco

"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. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2012
by Kenneth Grahame, developed by Bibliodome

"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. 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 >