Punky Dunk and the Gold Fish

$2.99, iPad

Teaches: reading, cause and effect, English and Spanish

CTR Rating: 78%

CTR Review

Somebody made a 100-year old children's book into an app! The best part is that the illustrations look old, along with the shoe-lace-style binding. But don't be fooled -- this app also has text with hot spots and read-out loud narration. It's too bad there isn't more to do, and more content to explore. In addition, the page turning is rough between the first and second pages, which lowered the rating. First published in 1912, the 11 page/screen story is about a curious cat who finds something to play with on every page. According to the publisher, there are 101 interactive sounds and animations plus a musical score to help bring the story to present day. Better interactive features include a spool and thread you can drag around the screen, and a ball of yard that you can roll, by tilting the screen. Features include the ability to toggle between Spanish and English (English by Matthew Modine, Spanish by Kate del Castillo). Nice touches include a record your own name feature, so you can hear your own name in the title page, and a handful of innovative interactive routines, such as the ability to swipe to make kittens run around a tree. So why not a higher rating? Beside having limited content, the background music is of low quality and the page turns can take you to places you didn't think you were going. The app was designed by Dumfun Productions as part of a planned series.