Poky Little Puppy, The

$3.99, iPhone, iPad

Teaches: reading, classification

CTR Rating: 88%

CTR Review

Adapted directly from the printed Golden Book with the same title, by Janette Debring Lawrey, this 23 page, 12 screen ebook (two "pages" per screen) is thick with touch-and-hear print that is augmented by the ability to record your own voice, reading each page. We tested the iPad version, and suspect that the print might be too small on smaller screens. The story -- of mischievous puppies getting into trouble -- is supported nicely with good interaction, professional narration, and guided exploration on each page. Weaknesses include some inconsistent leveling between the reading level and the activities, plus the pages must be swiped to be turned. This process may be less then obvious for younger children (static arrow icons work better). However, these are minor points, as children quickly figure out the page turning. The story is tried and true, and the springy illustrations wait quietly for a child's touch. It is easy to jump to any page at any time, making this a solid addition to your ebook library.