
This is a very cute story from VivaBooks. Dr. Kafruganegal is an eccentric & well-intentioned inventor who creates some pretty cool machines that don't always work out so well. Like the invisible pen that no one can find. Or the Glo-Diapers that make the baby glow instead. Add to that mix a curious kitten named Nickelby Swift and it's not hard to see how things could turn quickly to catastrophe.
The book has the essential ingredients for a great iPad book. It is full of engaging interactivity, funny illustrations and has a well-crafted story. It's even well-narrated with the option to record your own voice. My little boy loves this book and laughs out loud at Nickelby's escapades. He especially likes the ending, where the Dr. gives the kitten a lab coat and his own mini lab table to re-direct his natural curiousity away from the other 'inventions'.
The only issues I had with this delightful storybook were technical and most have been totally resolved with the last update. The text is in a very fun, but stylized font that scrolls as it is highlighted to match the narration. Overall, the graphics, story, narration and interactivity are so delightful in this book that I would recommend it highly, especially if you have a child that likes whimsical & humorous picture books. This and the other original titles from VivaBook are a wonderful addition to the Appstore.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Ben Hecht/ Matthew Vimislik
Developer:
Mythos Machine LLC
Length (time):
6 - 10 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: No
Allows Own Narration:
Yes
Uses Motion: Yes
Age: 3 - 8
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
18 Pages
Dr. Kafruganegel, an inventor, has one curious cat. Nickelby Swift, a kitten, wants to help with his experiments. But they don't go all that well even without a kitten interfering. He makes an invisible pen that no one can find, a potato peeler that peels away the whole potato, and his glo-diapers make the baby glow for a week. When Nickelby interferes things get even more crazy - he tries to help by chasing the robotic tray, knocking over the tools. Then the kitten becomes enchanted with the professor's latest invention - a cleaning robot. Nickelby ends up sucking up the curtains while dangling from the ceiling fan before the whole room is in shambles. Instead of punishing the cat, the Dr. sets up a small lab table and lets Nickelby start up his own experiments.
Orientation: Landscape
Format: Universal
Options:
Read to Me, Read Myself, Narration On/Off Settings for: Auto Page Turn, Highlight Text, Background Music On/Off
App Release Date:
2011-02-15
Size: 56.88 MB
Version: 2.1
Lite Version Available: No