Pat the Bunny
© 2011 Random House Children's Books
Back in the 1940's, children's book author Dorothy Kunhardt started putting "real" elements on the pages of her children's books, like sand paper for a scratchy beard, a mirror, or soft bunny fur for the bunny. Her daughter Edith (for whom the first books were made) went on to expand the concept. The iPad version of "Pat the Bunny" brings the concept to the glass screen, by letting children or parents take control of the narration or animated actions on each of the 14 pages. Notable features include page "preview" icons that have replaced the traditional swipe, to turn pages; a better way for a non-reader to explore and know what's coming up next. In addition, a set of preferences make it possible to turn on or off the background music or the somewhat repetitive narration. There are two modes of play: Read and Paint. The Paint mode lets you reveal the hidden colors with large swipes -- a nice technique that makes you feel powerful. Read lets you explore interactive elements on each page, including short descriptive lines of text, making this a good early literacy experience. In addition, you can add your own narration to each page, and see yourself in the mirror, if your device is equipped with a front-facing camera. The universal app works with the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Created by Smashing Ideas for Random House. First released on April 14, 2011.
$4.99, iPad, iPhone iOS 4 or later with camera (114 MB)
Teaches: language, early reading
CTR Rating: 96%