
Children love a garbled story ... the errors teach as much as they entertain. This book app, created with Kwiksher software, weaves a delightful story with an ending that is full of surprises. The tale begins with Farmer Blue, arriving on his tractor to talk to a little bird, Peko. He tells Peko that he needs to go to town to get three things, plus one 'surprise', although something gets lost in translation as the message travels across the farm ...
This app features simple but crisp and colorful graphics with nice narration (British accent). After meeting Farmer Blue, Peko passes the story on, resulting in a list of items so far off from the original, that the 'surprise' the farmer suggests in the end is (spoiler alert) "ear cleaner". This humorous take on the familiar children's game of 'telephone' is well crafted, including a fun memory game at the end that tests the reader's memory and story comprehension.
Created by author and illustrator Julian Stokoe with print originally in mind, this app is solidly produced and has delightful, polished animation along with light interactivity. Thoughtful design, as well as attention to pacing and placement of graphic elements, provides a seamless storytelling experience in this digital book. Bundled with fun extras, including a game and 'musical jam page', this book is one children will want to read over and over.
Recommended!
This app has been thoroughly evaluated by our staff. Please click on the 'star ratings' tab above, to see how it fared in all nine of our rating categories. See synopsis tab for more details about the storyline.
Note to readers: This review was expedited by the developer for a fee. The content of the rating/review is the same, but timing of publication has been prioritized.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Julian Stoke
Developer:
Yoozoo Limited
Length (time):
10 - 12 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: No
Allows Own Narration:
No
Uses Motion: No
Age: 4 - 8
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
23 Pages
From iTunes:
A comical tale and memory game of barnyard whispers as told by comedian Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords, Yes Man, The Boat That Rocked). For kids of all ages.
Farmer Blue is clattering off on his tractor past Peko to pick up a few things from the village. When Peko tells Summer what those few things were, he gets them all muddled up. Here starts a pumpkin vine of mix ups and befuddlements which winds its way full-circle around the barnyard. By this time, Farmer Blue's news has grown into a far out tale of giant moon pumpkin proportions!
After the story, play "Who Said What?" the memory game where you can drag and drop items onto the voice bubbles of who said what.
Choose how you want to Watch, Play and Read. Turn interactive items and sound on or off with an intuitive interface which invites discover-ability.
Readers, look out for kiwi-isms, befuddlements, homonyms, synonyms and cinnamon.
Orientation: Landscape
Format: iPad
Options:
Read to Me, Read Myself, PageGuide, Parents, Games, Credits, Home
App Release Date:
2013-10-22
Size: 39.54 MB
Version: 1.02
Lite Version Available: No