Dr. Panda & Toto's Treehouse

$2.99, iPad, iPhone, Android, Kindle

Teaches: personal hygiene, taking care of creatures, life sim

CTR Rating: 90%

CTR Review

This 16th in the Dr. Panda series of apps continues in tradition of being consistently easy to use, with plenty of lighthearted animal characters to tap. In this case, you take care of Toto the turtle in his four room treehouse. Each room contains essential turtle care items that pop up periodically on the screen, reminding children that they need to visit one of the other rooms. It takes quite a bit of energy to keep Toto fed, entertained, rested and clean. If you don't pay attention, he gets sick and needs medicine. There's no reading or language in any of the apps; just happy or sad sounds, or buzzing flies when it's time for a bath. There's plenty to do, from blowing bubbles (by tapping on screen), chasing a mouse, swinging on a tire swing, eating, giving a bath, playing jump rope, or dancing to music. When something must be done, an alert pops up on the screen, telling you which room to visit. As a result, the app introduces a very simple map to young children. The high maintenance turtle can get tiresome. We liked how the parent menu gives you plenty of control over things like social media options and sound. This may be your child's first virtual life simulation. Learn more at http://www.drpandagames.com/app/dr-panda-totos-treehouse/