Me
© 2016 Tinybop, Inc.
This fifth app in Tinybop's Digital Toy series turns your child's iPad into a something rare: a tool for self-reflection. The objective is to help you become more introspective about yourself, your family and your world. You begin by setting up a password-protected profile (a one time process). Next you design a face using a variety of menus that let you mix and match things like skin color (24 shades!), hair styles, eyes, face shape, hats and so on. All these options are easy to mix and match, and this is the genius of this app. It is possible to accurately create something that looks like you. If you've ever made a Nintendo avatar you get the idea. In this case you have even more facial options. Next, you enter a "socio-emotional portrait" -- a side-scrolling world with a family tree, and bubbles with questions like "what makes you mad" and "what is gross." You can take or upload photos, make recordings, or draw using a well designed set of drawing tools. Some testers loved the original illustrations; others found the art style to be "weird" asking "why can't the faces smile or frown?" Also the background music can't be controlled; which can be irritating for an open-ended activity. There are a few times when you can't escape the main menu and the screen orientation stays vertical (as with other Tinybop apps). The art and drawing tools are excellent, and the recording feature was easy to figure out. The illustrations have a distinctive illustration style, created by artist Ana Seixas.
$2.99, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: socio-emotional development, family trees, interpersonal realationships
CTR Rating: 87.5%