
An exceptional new app for young readers (with ten books in one) is now available from Oceanhouse Media! This is the digital version of the print books, released from 1975 through 1992, by Mercer Mayer.
This collection includes the following digital titles (click on the title to link to our review):
These titles have been beloved for years in print and get a new life in digital, including educational enhancements. For the read-a-long effect, each word is highlighted as it is read. Tap on any word to hear it spoken, even in the 'read-it-myself' mode. These book apps also have ample settings, now including home buttons, with the exception of only one thing I would suggest - page guides.
These books are nicely narrated with a few simple sound effects in the background. Page turn is by 'swipes' and the app has a nice array of settings. This is a great series for pre-readers, learner readers and children up to age 6 to read to themselves. It will likely even enchant toddlers - books for many seasons of your child's love affair with reading.
For interactivity, most of the items pictured in the story react to a light tap with a visual image of the word with accompanying audio. For example, tap on any image and you will see the word appear with audio reinforcement. If the image tapped is also represented in the text on that page, the word(s) will highlight as well. I find that omBooks are also the easiest titles to share with multiple children since they do not feature a lot of interactivity to fight over and have very little or no animation.
In digital form, the Little Critter book apps are even more fun than they were in print. This collection is also a great starting place for a digital library. Several of the books are short enough for bedtime reading, too. This app (or the individual books) is a great addition to any digital collection for young readers. Highly recommended!
[If you are not familiar with the digital book apps from Oceanhouse Media, check out the video tab above - we have a nice video review from Kirkus Reviews, of 'Just Grandma and Me']
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Mercer Mayer
Developer:
Oceanhouse Media, Inc.
Length (time):
45 - 60 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: Yes
Allows Own Narration:
Yes
Uses Motion: No
Age: 2 - 6
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
275 Pages
This app contains ten books in one ... all ten have been reviewed on this site. To see a full synopsis for each title, please follow these links to the individual book app reviews:
Many readers have asked, "What kind of animal is Little Critter?" According to Wikipedia, Mercer Mayer did not specify which type of animal Little Critter is, but "he resembles a hedgehog, hamster or guinea pig." So, basically he's a rodent ... although a rather lovable one! Over 200 books have been released in this popular series, not to mention a whole line of toys, dvds and other products.
Orientation: Landscape
Format: Universal
Options:
Autoplay, Read-it-myself, Read-to-me, News on/off, Sound on/off, Pageguide, Record Feature, Links to: Web, Email, AppStore, Facebook, Twitter
App Release Date:
2012-03-26
Size: 106.31 MB
Version: 2.1
Lite Version Available: No