Hilda Bewildered

$2.99, iPad

Teaches: intrapersonal development, emotions, reading

CTR Rating: 90%

CTR Review

This short 32 screen story comes with a heavy theme, rich music and beautiful interactive illustrations that pull you deeper into some big ideas. This is not a light, happy experience. Designed for "deep-thinking adolescent readers" the story takes place in an unnamed European city where a modern young Princess (Hilda) must confront her fears about speaking to a large audience. The publisher, who also created apps like The Artifacts and Midnight Feast suggest that you should "prepare a cup of peppermint tea, find the coldest time of day, then plug in some headphones." Some of the themes include the nature of celebrity, constant surveillance and imaginary audience syndrome, beauty, self-image, fear of public speaking and loneliness among crowds. In the end, Hilda does deliver her speech, but questions linger. The music is by Chris Hurn.