This is a cute original story with a tiny bit of animation and lots of cool interactivity. There are scenes where the reader picks the things that don't belong, others that match shapes and much more. Every few pages there is something different and fun. The interactivity is superb, with many scenes where the reader gets to 'help' Wolfie to move the story along. There are even four different 'machines' that can be 'invented' for slightly different endings to the book.

Wolfie is a little boy who wants to be an inventor. He wants to build a laughing machine. First he studies pictures of people laughing for clues about how to make someone laugh. He gets uncontrollable giggles just trying to figure it all out, even. Then he works on a drawing, organizes his tools and sets about to make his invention a reality.

Since Wolfie admires inventors, the book even gives a thumbnail sketch of famous inventors. Then, Wolfie works hard in his workshop, countdowning down 1-2-3 to show off his new laughing machine. Will it make the reader laugh? It certainly put a big smile on my little boy's face. He particularly liked getting to push buttons, choose doors, help put tools away, etc. This is a book where the child really drives the story by being involved physically with the page.

The book isn't perfect, though. The narration, while charming with accented English, would be better with a more articulate native speaker. There were also a few places that the wording seemed awkward, although the book was always understandable. Some pages had a bit of a delay for the interactions (like when you 'shout' to get Wolfie to stop laughing). Plus there is an 'abrupt' feel to the story's flow when the section about the real inventors is presented, feeling like a book within a book but without any segues.

But these imperfections stand out, in part, because the illustrations, story and overall concept are so good. Even without any changes, it's a very enjoyable book app that draws the child into the story on every page. It's a frequent request at my house and one that I enjoy reading aloud to my child. In English & Dutch.

All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.