Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




iPad Apps With Animal Characters


Cover art for COYOTE'S TALE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 23, 2011
by Ruby Lee, illustrated by Robin Joseph, developed by Skyreader Media

"A good-humored version of a traditional tale, sans source note but rounded off with a parent-pleasing page of discussion questions. (iPad folktale app. 6-8)"
A select set of quiet yips, howls and giggles, plus the occasional blink or twitch of a nose, add fetching notes to an abbreviated trickster tale with Latin American antecedents. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIERCE GREY MOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 16, 2011
by Chantal Bourgonje, illustrated by Chantal Bourgonje, developed by Tizio BV

"Here's hoping that Bourgonje will offer up more. (iPad storybook app. 2-8)"
Little Grey Mouse aims to become fierce in this winsome story about child's play and make-believe. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHERE IS YOUR NOSE, NIBBLY?
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 28, 2011
by Barney Saltzberg, illustrated by Barney Saltzberg, developed by Mochi Development, Inc.

"Navigation issue aside, Nibbly is a cute and well-designed app that the littlest iPad users will likely enjoy. (iPad storybook app. 1-4)"
Charming mice ask Nibbly the bunny to point out his various body parts. Read full book review >
Cover art for BUSY BUNNIES
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 21, 2011
developed by Newleaf Solutions

"An adorable storybook app with a near-perfect balance between stimulation and simplicity. (iPad storybook app. 2-4)"
A winning playdate with brother and sister bunny takes readers from alarm clock to "lights out" via a very full day. Read full book review >
Cover art for BENNY THE CAT
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 15, 2011
by Tamar Hak, illustrated by Tamar Hak, developed by Touchoo

"It may seem slight compared to more heavily produced ventures, but Benny's bite-sized app (and oversized head) may be just the right fit for some. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)"
Less a fleshed-out story than a virtual cat toy for iPad, this app nevertheless charms on the strength of its oddly proportioned feline star. Read full book review >
Cover art for JEREMY FISHER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 18, 2011
by Beatrix Potter, illustrated by Beatrix Potter, developed by Sideways Software

"High production values and a story-centered design give this a leg up over flashier, more game-like e-books. (iPad storybook app. 4-8)

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Potter's tale of a hapless frog who sets out to catch a minnow for dinner and almost ends up being dinner himself gets several useful extras in this unabridged app. It also receives a design upgrade that increases the original's cramped trim size and eliminates its blank pages while pairing text and pictures more closely together. Read full book review >