Ranger Rick Jr. Appventures: Lions

$4.99, iPad

Teaches: science, ecology, animals, lions

CTR Rating: 88%

CTR Review

Animal lovers, and animal lovers-to-be, keep reading. This collaboration of Moonbot Studios (see: Morris Lessmore) and the editors of Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine mixes real information about Lions (how they eat, sound and live) with engaging play. This is the first of a series -- other apps are planned for pandas, penguins and other animals that will be featured in Ranger Rick magazine. In this app, host Ricky Raccoon visits an African grassland, the setting for eight activities. The jigsaw puzzle is one of the best we've reviewed, with three levels of difficulty, easy-to-see pieces that nicely snap when they are correctly attached. "What's Wrong With This Picture" asks you to touch the items that don't belong, and Photo Safari turns the iPad into a motion sensing camera, letting you look around your room to spot lions). Hide and Seek is similar -- you count missing cubs, again by moving the iPad in a 360-degree panorama motion. The iPad�s internal gyroscope translates motion into navigation. Finally, Animal Sounds asks children to match a sound with an animal. All the sound content is directly recorded, a detail we appreciated. Creative options include a sticker board, an animal piano (with multi-touch!) in case you feel like playing a piano, and a build-an-animal (with a clunky menu). All the games are integrated in an explore mode, where a talking lion host introduces you to each activity. Potential downsides: The graphics are cartoony, with the exception of the clear photos. This app won't run on first iPad (a camera is required). Also because of the amount of screen motion, you'll want to have your iPad mounted in a protective frame. These are minor issues that should not get in the way of downloading this app.