
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.
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
"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.
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