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HANSEL AND GRETEL

Name: HANSEL AND GRETEL
Author: Yasmin Studios

developed by Yasmin Studios ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 2, 2010

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Not unlike creepy-eyed dolls that never seem quite as cute as they're meant to be, there's something a little off about this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale. All the elements are there: the wayward kids, the mean stepmother, the breadcrumbs left behind in the woods, the witch and her candy-laden house. But the illustrations and animation seem too clean and happy for a story that ends with a woman burning to death in her own home. In fact, the grinning faces of Hansel and Gretel, toting bags of treasure on their backs as they walk away from the burning house is enough to give any parent pause before choosing this app for a bedtime story. Not that the app's eerily cheery approach is the only problem. The sound mix is uneven, with music overpowering the narration. The sound effects are generic (at least one of the character's audio cues is identical to those featured in another app by the same developer). And the on-screen text is too small; on one page it doesn't fit on the screen, requiring readers scroll to catch the last line. Readers can also reposition characters and objects on the screen, moving them from place to place by dragging them with a finger, but it's a feature that seems to exist just ’cause, not to add any value to the story. If this app got lost in the woods like Hansel and Gretel, it isn't likely it would be missed. Quick, somebody scoop up those breadcrumbs. (iPad storybook app. 3-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2010

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Yasmin Studios

Review Posted Online: March 4, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011

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ADDIE ANT GOES ON AN ADVENTURE

by Maren Morris & Karina Argow ; illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2024

Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade.

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An ant explores her world.

Addie Ant’s ready for adventure. Despite some trepidation about leaving the Tomato Bed, where she lives with her aunt, she plucks up her courage and ventures forth across the garden to the far side of the shed. On her journey, she meets her pal Lewis Ladybug, who greets her warmly, points the way, and offers sage advice. When Addie arrives at her destination, she’s welcomed by lovely Beatrix Butterfly and enjoys an “ant-tastic” helping of watermelon. Beatrix also provides Addie with take-home treats and a map for the “Cricket Express,” which will take her straight home. Arriving at the terminal, Addie’s delighted to meet another friend, Cleo Cricket, whose carriage service returns Addie home in “two hops.” After eating a warm tomato soup dinner, Addie falls asleep and dreams of future exploits. Adorable though not terribly original, this story brims with sensuous pleasures, both textual and visual. Kids who declare that they dislike fruits or veggies may find their mouths watering at the mentions and sights of luscious tomatoes, peas, beans, watermelons, berries, and other foodstuffs; insect-averse readers may likewise think differently after encountering these convivial, wide-eyed characters. And those flowers and herbs everywhere! The highlights are the colors that burst from the pages. Addie’s an endearing, empowering character who reassures children they’ll be able to take those first independent steps successfully.

Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade. (author’s note about ants) (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 9, 2024

ISBN: 9781797228914

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)