LUCY LADYBIRD

The unspotted Lucy Ladybird doesn’t fit in with the rest of the ladybugs, so she sets off on a journey of self-discovery.

Lucy feels sad and lonely when all of the other ladybugs tell her, “You can’t be one of us.…You have no spots!” As she meets new friends—a frog, a caterpillar, a fish and a bird—she notices how they each have their own beautiful spots in different colors. At first Lucy tells them how much she wishes she could be like them, but in each case, her new companions insist she is beautiful as she is and then offer to give her one of their own spots. The story builds with a gentle repetitive pattern, weaving in counting and color practice for preschoolers. Bright illustrations exude a warm, cheerful feeling that’s reinforced by the story’s lesson of friendship and sharing. Young readers will enjoy the clear message, especially as all the animals decide at the end that multicolored spots are delightfully fun. Layered textures and smooth animations add interest and details to the illustrations. Clear navigation features help guide young users, and simple interactions keep their interest but never overwhelm the story. Like David McKee’s classic Elmer (1968), Lucy discovers a timeless lesson that variety is the spice of life.

A cheerful, charming story that works well as a storybook app.