Little Robot Lost His Square [RobotSquare] for iPad

Our Overall rating: 4.5

more...

Little Robot Lost His Square [RobotSquare]

August 25, 2011

By: Carisa Kluver

The Digital Media Diet

A book so adorable you will fall in love with its simplicity ...

Little Robot Lost His Square is a really well-crafted story, featuring a child robot who desperately wants to find his square (so he can stand on it and help his mom make cookies). The simple illustrations are lightly animated and so expressive that the reader can't help but root for the little robot on his quest. The story has deeper meaning, too, demonstrating the value of 'persistence' as the little robot searches until he finds the square ... just in time to help his mother.

The book has uncomplicated line-drawn illustrations that are charming and expressive. My little boy instantly identified with the little robot and was anxious for him to resolve this all too common problem - misplacing things we love. The book is also lightly animated in a way that nears digital perfection. Watching the little robot squint as he thinks hard about where he last played with his square is adorable and the cute movement of the stairs as he rushes up and down is as delightful as it is simple.

This title has no sound or narration, although the book is very enjoyable without it. It might be nice to have the option of narration (or to be able to record your own) or even just a touch of background music. The app has large, easy to read text and page turn by swipe. However, there are absolutely no settings, not even a way to reset the book to the beginning. Even closing the app doesn't help, so at 24 pages, it is a bit time-consuming to have to page back to the start of the book. Despite this annoyance, my little boy and I still love to read this book often - the story is just that cute.

Overall, this is a truly unique and noteworthy title in the app store. Despite some technical problems, the book's story is delivered so well that this has quickly become our favorite bedtime read. An update with home button & page guide would be most useful, but even without it, this is a hard book not to love.

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

Continue to star ratings »»

Your Vote

$2.99

Own It

Want It

Back to Top

$2.99

Little Robot Lost His Square [RobotSquare]

August 25, 2011

By: Carisa Kluver

Our Overall rating:

Rating: 4.5

Our editorial rating – an impression of the whole book overall. We also consider how the app compares to other apps currently available. Note: It is not a sum of the other ratings.
User Rating:

Rating: Not Yet Rated!

The average rating from users signed into the Digital-Storytime.com site (who checked the 'own it' box).
Animation:

Rating: 3.75

We consider both technical & visual appeal of the animated elements. We focus on quality rather than quantity, although very little animation will rate slightly lower on this scale (to allow proper sorting).
Audio Quality:

None

Rating: N/A

Overall quality of audio elements. We consider whether the music & sound effects are easy to listen to and well-matched to the story. Narration, when present, should be clear & well-articulated.
Interactivity:

None

Rating: N/A

We consider all the interactive elements of a book app. We look for interactivity that is well-matched to the story & engaging but mark down for interactivity that interfere with reading comprehension.
Re-readability:

Rating: 5

Overall value the app can offer, either as a book app that can occupy the reader for hours or a story that will be returned to for many re-reads. We do not take price into consideration, since it often changes.
Bedtime:

Rating: 5

We consider length (under 10 minutes is ideal), enhancements & extras (ideally not too overstimulating), as well as story content that is appropriate for children at night-time.
Educational:

Rating: 5

Overall educational value. We consider enhancements, added content (like reading comprehension questions or other suggested activities) and any unique educational value that makes the app stand out.
Originality:

Rating: 5

We consider the story, art, concept, design & execution of the app. Apps based on folktales & previously published titles will score lower unless they have a unique presentation.
Games/Puzzles/Extras:

None

Rating: N/A

We consider anything in the app that goes beyond the story, like games, puzzles, coloring pages, etc. High ratings in this category mean the extras are well made, engaging and have high replay value.

Continue to story synopsis »»

Back to Top

Author/Illustrator:
Kathleen Marie Sweeney

Developer:
Kathleen Marie Sweeney

Length (time):
4 - 6 Minutes

Based on non-digital book: No

Allows Own Narration:
No

Uses Motion: No

Age: 3 - 8 +

Languages:
English •

Length (pages):
24 Pages

Story Synopsis - Little Robot Lost His Square [RobotSquare]

"Once upon a time, Little Robot's Mom asked for help making cookies ..." but the robot is too little to reach the counter. He has a square he got for his birthday ... maybe he can stand on that to help, suggests his mom. But the little robot can't remember where he left his square. She asks him to try and think about where he last played with it and also to be 'persistent'.

Little robot then proceeds to go upstairs, outside and even down into the basement with no luck. He tries and tries to find it until all of sudden, he remembers he played with it in the living room. He had hidden it under a couch coushion. What a relief! Little robot is just in time to help mom with the cookies.

$2.99

Continue to screen shots »»

Back to Top

$2.99

Orientation: Landscape

Format: Universal

Options:

None, Link to Web

App Release Date:
2011-07-20

Size: 6.1 MB

Version: 1.01

Lite Version Available: No