StoryBox #1
© 2011 Bayard Presse
Good for older readers (upper elementary and middle school) this children's magazine (by Bayard Presse) on an iPad mixes age-appropriate content with some mid-to good-quality interactivity. All things considered, there's enough content to keep things interesting and keep children exploring. There's no doubt that this is a British publication, and the narrator accent is proof. The idea is to continue stories from app to app, so there is continuity from issue to issue, like the printed counterpart. We reviewed the first issue (#1) so quality might improve. At the core of each issue is an animated story. For this issue, "How about a MOOH?" is about Stella the little calf who wakes up but does not moo. The farm animals are worried but a little cuddle with her Mom is all she needs. We were less than impressed by the bobble-head-style of interactivity and unconventional page turns. Features include the ability to record your own voice, or zoom into illustrations for a closer look. The aesthetics are excellent (good graphics and narration). Content also includes Science - Why do aeroplanes leave trails in the sky? (note the British spelling); SamSam – GumGum the giant - follow the cosmic adventures of the smallest of the big heroes plus watch an episode of the SamSam TV series; Animal world - learn about Humpback whales; Games – fly your kite, join the dots, maze, match the pairs, find the correct order; and Polo - an adventure without words to lead you into the world of dreams. All in all, there's a lot of content to discover in this app, making it well worth the $4 investment.
$3.99, iPad
Teaches: reading, logic, creativity, counting
CTR Rating: 86%