HANSEL AND GRETEL BOOKIDU
developed by Digital Book Production
Sans illustrations, decorations or even an option for audio narration this version of the folktale definitely charts its own course through the thickets of more fully featured apps.
The story is complete, presented in digestible blocks on the blank white screens in either German (the default) or a modern English translation. Readers can also select two sizes of type—though some pages will require scrolling with the larger option, despite generous margins. An optional soundtrack of ambient forest noises (or, occasionally, ominous music) adds considerable atmosphere. This is much enhanced by individual sound effects that are activated by touching either cartouches in the text or a large button at the bottom of each screen. Those effects range from quiet crackles, creaks and percussive tinkling to loud snores, over-the-top weeping and a particularly wild and delicious witch’s cackle. Though there's not much to look at, there’s plenty to hear—which makes this particularly suitable for reading aloud in situations where visuals wouldn’t matter.
Like an old-time radio drama, this rendition leaves plenty to the imagination.
(iPad storybook app. 7-10)