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TALKING ABC by Jutiful Ltd.

TALKING ABC

developed by Jutiful Ltd.

Pub Date: May 24th, 2013
Publisher: Jutiful Ltd.

While ABC apps are certainly plentiful, these playful Claymation-style critters will bring giggles and multiple readings.

With its creative animation, this app puts a twist on an otherwise fairly typical ABC book. Each page features a large uppercase letter on a bright background. When young readers tap it, the clay letter folds up into a ball and then unfolds into an animated creature that corresponds to that letter. Preschoolers will certainly laugh at these goofy animals, with their big, round eyes, oversized mouths and silly expressions. The unicorn, xiphias and yeti all provide amusing variations on the standard fare of ABC animals. Tap the animal, and it will form into a ball before reverting back to the letter. Unfortunately, the narration does not repeat the letter name at this point, missing an important opportunity for reinforcing names and sounds. The letter names are clearly articulated with cheerful narration; however, the letter sounds are not as clear. An original song plays continuously if users tap the musical-note icon, a useful feature for very young children. The settings are easy to use, enabling parents to toggle between letter names and sounds. Four games extend the interactive learning with matching games and puzzles.

These appealing creatures will draw preschoolers back for repeated readings and exposure to letter names and sounds—a winning combination.

(iPad alphabet app. 2-6)