Hurray for Today!
© 2014 Oceanhouse Media
The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library -- based on Oceanhouse Media's (OHM) tried-and-true design -- keeps growing (23 titles as of June 2014). Hurray for Today covers the origins and traditions of common holidays all over the world including winter solstice, Christmas/Kwanzaa and Hanukkah (mentioned in a non-religious context, and in a very general way), New Years, Groundhog Day, Spring Equinox, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Independence Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Earth Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Autumnal Equinox, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Some of the screen transitions break out of the "page flipper" mold. One scrolls down for example. As with other OHM titles, you can record and save your own narration, and you can touch any word or illustration to hear it read outloud; an excellent scaffolding technique for emerging readers. Some of the harder words, like "honor" are defined with a popup definition box. This is a solid, no-fail addition to any early childhood curriculum Written by Bonnie Worth, illustrated by Ruiz & Joe Mathieu; originally published by Random House Children's Books.
$5.99, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: reading, holidays, Dr. Seuss
CTR Rating: 92%