This is an inspirational tale from the author of Pete & Pillar, The Big Rain, featuring a little tractor named Skid. From author, Jeffry Stoddard, this is another book that is exceptionally well-crafted and based on a print title, published in 2009. In this story we meet Skid, a tractor with an inferiority complex. Skid triumphs in the end because he is the only tractor small enough to bravely go in after Pillar when she is buried in a very small tunnel.
As a digital offering, this app is lightly enhanced, from the PicPocket Books collection. It makes a fabulous bedtime read and is a top pick of my little boy for reading together. You can tap on the trucks to hear sound effects of hauling and digging plus the eyes of the trucks animate in an expressive way. These books don't leap off the page, but the storytelling is superb along with wonderful illustrations that make for an ideal picture book for kids.
This title features word-by-word highlighting to go along with the professional narration. It also has easy swipe-style page turning and a clear, simple font perfect for young readers. Overall this is a great little book for story time, especially suited for sharing with multiple children or for bedtime reading.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Jeffrey Stoddard
Developer:
Take 2 Ventures LLC
Length (time):
12 - 15 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: Yes
Allows Own Narration:
No
Uses Motion: No
Age: 3 - 8
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
20 Pages
Skid is a 'little yellow tractor' that helps haul tires and trash, but he is intimidated by the much larger tractors that come to help build a tunnel between two small towns. "I wish I was an important machine," skid thinks to himself. But just when Skid thinks he has nothing to contribute, there is a chance for Skid to help where no one else can. Pillar tells him though, that "you don't have to be big to be mighty."
As rocks fall into the tunnel, Skid is the only tractor small enough to go in and help Pillar, who has been trapped. Skid manages to get into the tunnel that is so tiny, making it all the way to Pillar with extra fuel. In the end Skid is a hero ... the only tractor small enough, and brave enough, to dig Pillar out and bring her the supplies she needs to get out.
The story ends with, "That's why when you pass by an important construction job today, you'll probably see a little loader named Skid. Because even big machines know they just may need a brave tiny tractor to do what he was made to do."
Orientation: Landscape
Format: iPad
Options:
Audio On/Off, Highlighting On/Off, Links to: AppStore
App Release Date:
2011-09-22
Size: 37.82 MB
Version: 2.4.1
Lite Version Available: No