
Flap! Flap! Swish! Swish! Mala Mala! is a book made entirely of breathtaking photos. This second digital book by wildlife photographer Max Waugh is gorgeous and educational. The photos follow Mhumhi, a wild dog, across the South African game reserve known as Mala Mala. In the story Mhumbi travels to meet all of his animal neighbors.
The story is told using onomatopoeia, or words that imitate sounds. For instance, the oxpecker birds go "Peck! Peck!" while the sunbirds drink with a "Slurp! Slurp!" The book is not narrated and has no settings, but it's otherwise well constructed with easy page turning.
This book, like the previous title, Rosie: Yellowstone's Most Famous Bear, is unique among the digital book offerings in itunes for its original photography and focus on the natural environment. Lacking audio narration or even music is unfortunate, but this is a technical fix we can only hope will be added in a future update.
This book of photography with a simple story is ideal for bedtime or other quiet settings. It is also a great title for a child to read to themselves or to share with a parent.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Max Waugh
Developer:
Max Waugh
Length (time):
5 - 8 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: No
Allows Own Narration:
No
Uses Motion: No
Age: 2 - 10 +
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
30 Pages
MalaMala is a game reserve in South Africa established in 1927. It shares an unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Parkland and lies between the National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve. This book follows a wild dog on his quest to find a friend to play with in his new home. His name is Mhumhi and he perks up his ears to listen to all the sounds of the wild animals around him. There is a buffalo, an eagle, giraffe, sunbird, hippos, oxpeckers, kudu, lion, hammerkop, leopard, owlet, mongoose, elephant, parrots, and finally a rhino.
Orientation: Landscape
Format: Universal
Options:
None
App Release Date:
2011-03-17
Size: 5.4 MB
Version: 1.0
Lite Version Available: No