Back in the classroom, there will be much to discuss, including why the amendment was necessary on the heels of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the political maneuvering necessary to secure the amendment’s passage, and the medium’s depiction of the event and the historical figures. To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up). Your students will be intrigued.

Six chapters delve into topics such as the “Players on the Stage of History,” “The Conflict,” and “The President” discussing the Civil War, those who fought for and against the amendment, Lincoln’s presidency, and more. Incorporated into the text are quotes by Lincoln and his contemporaries, archival images, and other primary source material.Throughout the text are black-and-white period photos, sometimes juxtaposed against shots of similar scenes re-created for the film (in color), and embedded videos offering commentary by Spielberg, the actors, and others who worked on the film.

In the videos, Spielberg speaks to Lincoln’s relevancy today as a “most vivid model of a leader, of leadership,” who advocated for “things that we hold dear today.” Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays the president in the movie, comments on Lincoln’s accessibility—the “ever-open door of the White House.” Other actors discuss their research in preparation for their roles—and their challenges—including  Sally Field who plays Mary Todd Lincoln, Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley, the “personal modiste” of the First Lady, and  David Strathairn as William H. Seward, Lincoln’s the Secretary of State.

Much notice has been paid to the film’s authenticity. In the chapter, “Bringing History to Life” viewers hear from Rick Carter, the production designer, on scouting sets and props, and Joanna Johnston, the costume designer, who dressed the 140-member cast. Johnston mentions Mary Todd Lincoln’s outfits, many of which were “exact replicas” of those she wore in life….”  (“For the president, clothing was purely a way of keeping out the weather.”) Ben Burtt’s narrative addresses his quest to “research and record historic sounds” and to re-create those he could from the ticking of the portico clock to the off-screen bombardment of a cannonade. Museum officials allowed Burtt to record the sound of Lincoln’s actual watch, heard in the film.

Page turns and video runs are fluid and readers will be guided through this production by a table of contents and discreetly placed icons. The app ends with a film clip and link to the iTunes page to purchase tracks from the motion picture. In all, a production for fans of the president and the film, and, to be sure, something for visual learners.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal.

For some recently published books for students on Lincoln, see Vicki Reutter’s Whiskers, Dreams, and Grave-Robbing Schemes.

Fans of Captain Underpants—and of rude, over-the-top humor—are in for a field day: The Adventures of Captain Underpants: The First Epic App (Scholastic; $4.99; Gr 2-6) offers awesome animation and engaging activities. First is the complete Book-O-Rama, here in high resolution and full color. Viewers can read the story or listen to Mike West’s spirited narration with added sound effects and musical accompaniment. Pages aren’t turned per se; a swipe of the screen slides the characters to the next page, or morphs the background into the next setting.

Games, manipulable message boards, and even those flip-o-rama pages found in the books are embedded in appropriate spots. (Readers can choose to engage in these activities or not.) A jump from one page to any other in the text is via a collapsible bar at the bottom of the screen, while a bar at the top allows children to return to the main menu, to select chapters, or to exit to a game. Avatars to help track game progress are easy to create, but with a tap of a button one will be created (and named) for viewers.

Screen shot from The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Pilkey)
©2013 by Dav Pilkey

Activities include hypnotizing Mr. Krupp with the 3-D Hypno-Ring, catching Captain Underpants in the Skate-o-Rama, or slinging underwear at robots and the diabolical Dr. Diaper in an attempt to annihilate them in the Stretch-O-Rama. Beat Box 2000 is a music-making machine; as Captain Underpants flies across the sky, he triggers ka-booms and other, (often uncouth), noises to one of three catchy beats. Users can record their own sounds if they prefer. The games take full advantage of the iPad’s capabilities, requiring the players to tilt and tap their way through various levels using different strategies; plenty of options keep the play fresh.

The app contains “no ads, no social media sharing, no in-app purchasing, no links to outside websites, [and] no location-tracking features.” With access to a full-length story, terrific animation, challenging activities, and loads of irreverent fun, this app will have fans cheering for the 16-year-old “Captain Underpants.”— MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, New York 

A new app for the iPad and Android devices uses a highly visual format to provide a different search experience for the tablet user. More than just a pretty interface, Izik—which debuted last month as the top reference app in iTunes—is based on Blekko, the search engine that boasts higher quality results based on human curation.

Enter a search term and Izik surfaces a stack of results based on category. The query “Black History Month” provided a “Quick Answer” up top, followed by related images, recent news, and categories, in this case, “African American,” “Black History,” and “American History.”

Navigation is optimized for the tablet format. So cutting down on keystrokes, users can swipe horizontally to view more results within the categories or swipe vertically to reveal more categories related to your search topic. Pinch to expand a result and share it via Facebook or Twitter directly from the search page.

Gary Price, editor of INFOdocket, cited Blekko, along with Duck Duck Go, as a viable alternative to Google. (“Wary of Google? Try These Alternative Search Tools”)

What distinguishes Blekko is a search tool known as slashtags. This feature enables users to refine results and build curated collections of select Web pages and then search and share those resources with others. So create a collection of Web resources, then share the slashtag with students, suggests Price. “Now, the only sites they’ll be searching are the ones you’ve selected,” he writes.

For a deeper dive into slashtags, creating custom slashtags and even embedding them on your website, check out Blekko’s search tutorial.

BiblioBoard. BiblioLabs LLC. Version 2.0.1. 2012. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Free. $9.99 to $15.99 for individual anthologies. 

Gr 10 Up–As first glance, the Biblioboard app is equal parts inspiring and overwhelming. It offers more than 100 anthologies, and, within each curation, access to free content.

The 60-plus volumes in Brontë Sisters: A Historical Collection provides selections under “Novels,” “Poetry,” “Biographical Works,” “Critical Essays,” and “Images.” It affords a rare glimpse into the sisters’ lives through traditional biographies as well as a series of well-organized letters to and from Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, their father, and friends. Readers can also examine portraits of the women, their home, and a reproduction of each sister’s pen name signature, all of which are likely to ignite a discussion of a woman’s place in the literary world of the 19th century. It would be difficult to find a more complete anthology of the Brontës’s work in one place with such a small footprint.

John Keats: A Historical Collection presents such telling works as A Day with Keats, by his contemporary May Clarissa Gillington Byron. There are also romantic gems such as Keats’s Letters to Fanny Brawne, written to his fiancée from Rome before the English poet succumbed to tuberculosis at age 25.

Keats’s poems are represented as is his correspondence. Completing the anthology, which totals more than 70 volumes, are “Memoirs,” “Critical Essays,” “Souvenirs,” and “Images.” Viewing pages of the original editions of the poet’s work evokes the romanticism these verses warrant, while the color illustrations add a dimension and context not often found in other resources.

On the topic of Socrates: Father of Western Philosophy, there are a number of biographical and contextual essays that offer a look at the philosopher’s daily interactions and the era in which he lived. Scholarly revelations about Socrates’s influence on the writings of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes are also presented. The depth and language of these works makes them most suited for advanced placement or college students, but items such as the reproduction of a papyrus Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s ‘Republic’ provides relevance for any reader.

While some may value these collections as primary source material or historical artifacts, there is much here for students of literature and philosophy to peruse. They’re sure to find something that speaks to them.—Danielle Farinacci, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, San Francisco, CA

Pyramids 3D: Wonders of the Old Kingdom. Zahi Hawass and Sandro Vannini. Touch Press/ Heritage World Press/ Laboratoriorosso; 2012; Version 1.0.1, iOS, requires 5.1 or later. $13.99.
Gr 6 Up–On opening this app, viewers soar over the Giza Plateau under the bright desert sun while the sounds of birds and the wind are heard in the background. In all, there are nine “Places” to visit at this ancient necropolis from King Khafre’s Tomb to The Great Pyramid. Tapping on the entrance to a monument will bring viewers inside. Once there, they can take a virtual tour of the pyramid or tomb, methodically following arrows and using the floor plan as a guide, or touching the floors and walls to move about independently within the labyrinths. The “Expert Intros” for each location, the only audio provided within this app, are informative, yet all too brief.

A menu at the top of each screen provides an index of sites to explore and “Quick tips” explains how to navigate within the monuments. Illuminated areas signal statues, wall carvings, and drawings that offer additional information. A tap on a picture label provides a description of the work. Throughout the app, scenes offer a “Then and Now” feature allowing users to toggle between the clean lines, vibrant colors, and smooth surfaces that artists imagine these walls and items had millennia ago, and the fading colors and damage wrought by time, and in some cases, vandalism.

An “Objects” option presents viewers with a collection of 40 artifacts, each of which can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees. The clarity of detail is noteworthy. Particularly stunning is the “Golden Mask of Tutankhamun,” which shines as users tip their iPads to fully appreciate the pairing of ancient artistry and modern technology. Other artifacts include statues and statuettes, a gold-handled knife, and a piece of jewelry. For each item, details (size, material, etc.) and notes are provided.

The accompanying text offers chapters on topics ranging from “A Brief History of Ancient Egypt” to “The Discovery of the Solar Boats.” Fascinating details along with a timeline and numerous images of the site and artifacts are included. A postscript by the author and noted Egyptian archeologist Hawass discusses recent political developments in Egypt, the plans for the Giza Plateau, its protection, and continued excavation.

Both the spectacular photography by Sandro Vannini and superb 3-D imaging will impress viewers, who will undoubtedly wish the app contained a larger collection of images and locations to explore. A splendid production.–Deirdre Reddington, Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY

Multimedia informational resources have been a boon for learners across disciplines. Witness some of the apps we’ve reviewed: Pyramids 3D, Bobo Explores Light, Al Gore’s Our Choice and Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomy.

Now there’s The Orchestra, which brings the sights and sounds of London’s Philharmonia to readers and listeners everywhere. Don’t miss it.

For those who didn’t grow up immersed in orchestral practices, trying to understand the art and its ensembles may seem daunting. Even a seasoned musician may open The Orchestra (Touch Press, $13.99; Gr 3 Up) and wonder, where do I begin, for the options are vast. Starting with the commentary of the conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, will give listeners a flavor of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, and open their minds to the complexity of Salonen’s task. His level of thought and his narrative are deep; as the engineer and artistic guide for the orchestra, he speaks at a level suitable for high school or college students. But there is plenty in this app that will have a place with students as young as the elementary grades; for example, the individual showcases for each orchestral instrument.

Simon Oliver and his double bass (‘The Orchestra’) Touch Press

Each showcase consists of a photo of the instrument that can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees; a video narration and demonstration of the sounds that instrument produces; a written entry; a “Did You Know?” fact; a keyboard (showing the range of the instrument); and an orchestral excerpt performed by the artist during an ensemble performance. Percussion instruments have touch pads to mimic the sounds made by drums. Many of the musicians’ video narratives are endearing (particularly the brass section, notably Katy Wooley’s French Horn video and Alistair Mackie’s on the trumpet), which make the instruments instantly accessible. This section would be also useful for young people trying to determine which instrument to study, for each video explains the working of the instrument and depicts a musician playing it. The snare drum excerpts are wonderful and worth a special mention.

Continuing through the app, users have a choice of orchestral pieces that highlight specific instruments. Claude Debussy’s  Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird are two examples, but the real joy in listening to these pieces comes from the commentaries provided by the musicians and the conductor. There are also opportunities to to listen (with or without full score) to thoughtful conversations amongst orchestral members concerning the expression, technique, and even conducting style while watching the orchestra perform. It is fascinating. When principal flutist Samuel Coles confesses, “I spend whole days practicing flute so that I can forget technique…(in concert)” viewers will gain a new appreciation for the work that goes into creating art.

The text is no less engaging than the audio-visuals. Penned by Mark Swed (chief classic music critic of the L.A. Times), it covers the history of the orchestra, makes suggestions on how to listen to orchestral music and interpret a score. Of special note in the introduction is the mention of El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education program, which has created a moral and social system based on its 125 youth orchestras.

The power of orchestral music is compelling; this app provides unique and rich experiences that can be appreciated by both beginners and professionals.—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY

Eds. note: You’ll hear from the conductor and the musicians on the trailer for this app.

BiblioBoard is a free iPad app providing access to more than 100 curated collections of “licensed, open source and public domain materials” on topics ranging from Punk Rock to The Brothers Grimm. Anthologies on English writers are the most numerous. With the app, readers can dip into any collection, most of which include more than 50 “books, images, and articles written by or about” the subject and sample up to the first seven pages of any title.

The price for each collection ranges from $9.99 to $15.99. Our reviewer, Danielle Farinacci, took a look at three of the newer collections.

As first glance, the BiblioBoard app (BiblioLabs LLC; Free; $9.99 to $15.99 for individual collections; Gr 9 Up) is equal parts inspiring and overwhelming. It offers more than 30 literary anthologies alone, with access to free content within each curation.

The 60-plus volumes in Brontë Sisters: A Historical Collection includes offerings under “Novels,” “Poetry,” “Biographical Works,” “Critical Essays,” and “Images.” It affords a rare glimpse into the sisters’ lives through traditional biographies as well as a series of well-organized letters to and from Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, their fathers, and friends. Readers can also examine portraits of the women, their home, and a reproduction of each sister’s handwritten pen name signature, which are likely to ignite a discussion of a woman’s place in the literary world of the 19th century. It would be difficult to find a more complete anthology of the Brontës’s work in one place with such a small footprint.

John Keats: A Historical Collection presents such telling works as, ”The Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats,” edited by Richard Monckton Milnes, and ”A Day with Keats,” by his contemporary May Clarissa Gillington Byron, plus romantic gems like Keats’s Letters to Fanny Brawne, written to his fiancée from Rome before the English poet succumbed to tuberculosis at age 25.

Keats’s poems are represented, as is his correspondence. Completing the anthology, which totals more than 70 volumes, are  “Memoirs,” “Critical Essays,” “Souvenirs,” and “Images.” Viewing pages of the original editions of the poet’s work evokes the romanticism these poems warrant, while the color illustrations add a dimension and context not often found in other resources.

“Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s ‘Republic’” from BiblioBoard’s “Socrates.” (BiblioLabs LLC)

On the topic of Socrates: Father of Western Philosophy, there are a number of biographical and contextual essays, such as “Talks with Athenian Youths,” that offer a glimpse into the philosopher’s daily interactions and the era in which he lived. Scholarly revelations about Socrates’s influence on the writings of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes are also presented. The depth and language of these works makes them most suited for advanced placement or college students, but items such as the Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s “Republic” provides relevance for any reader.

While some may value these collections as primary source material or as historical artifacts, there is much here for students of literature and philosophy to peruse. They’re sure to find something that speaks to them.—Danielle Farinacci, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, San Francisco, CA


For additional app reviews visit Touch and Go under blogs and columns at slj.com, and be sure to add us to your RSS feed.

Once again, Touch Press delivers an absorbing, in-depth look at a topic that will dazzle readers and viewers. This app takes viewers on a virtual tour deep inside the tombs and pyramids of Egypt’s Giza Plateau. 

On opening Pyramids 3D: Wonders of the Old Kingdom (Touch Press LLP; $13.99; Gr 6 Up), viewers soar over the Giza Plateau under the bright desert sun while the sounds of birds and the wind are heard in the background. In all, there are nine “Places” to visit at this ancient necropolis, from King Khafre’s Tomb to The Great Pyramid. Tapping on the entrance to a monument will bring viewers inside. Once there, they can take a virtual tour of the pyramid or tomb, methodically following arrows and using the floor plan as a guide, or swiping the floors and walls to move about independently within the labyrinths. The “Expert Intros” for each location, the only audio provided in this app, are informative, yet all too brief.

A menu at the top of each screen provides an alphabetized index of sites to explore and a “Quick tips” menu explains how to navigate within the monuments. Illuminated areas signal statues, wall carvings, and drawings that offer additional information. A tap on a picture label provides a description of the work. Titles, terms, and locales are defined and illustrated with maps. Throughout the app, scenes offer a “Then and Now” feature allowing users to toggle between the clean lines, vibrant colors, and the smooth surfaces that artists imagine these walls and items had millennia ago, and the fading colors and damage wrought by time, and in some cases, vandalism.

‘Statue of a Woman Making Bread’ from ‘Pyramids 3D’ (Touch Press) Photo by Sandro Vannini

An “Objects” option allows viewers to examine a collection of 40 artifacts, each of which can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees. The clarity of detail is noteworthy. Particularly stunning is the “Golden Mask of Tutankhamun,” which shines as users tip their iPads to fully appreciate the pairing of ancient artistry and modern technology. Other artifacts include statues and statuettes, a gold-handled knife, and a piece of jewelry. For each item, details (size, material, etc.) and notes are provided.

The accompanying text offers an introduction and 10 chapters on topics ranging from “A Brief History of Ancient Egypt” and “The Pyramid Builders” to “The Mystery of the Queen’s Burial” and the 1954 “Discovery of the Solar Boats.” Fascinating details along with a timeline and photos of the site and artifacts are included. A postscript by the author—the noted archeologist Zahi Hawass—discusses recent political developments in Egypt and the plans for the Giza Plateau, its protection, and continued excavation.

Both the spectacular photography by Sandro Vannini and superb 3-D imaging will impress viewers, who will undoubtedly wish the app contained a larger collection of photos and locations to explore. A splendid production.—Deirdre Reddington, Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY

Picture Book Apps

Emma Loves Pink (by Piret Raud/WingedChariot)

Go Away, Big Green Monster! (by Ed Emberly/Night & Day Studios)

Ladybug Girl (by David Soman and Jacky Davis/Trilogy Touch)

Hildegard Sings  (by Thomas Wharton/One Hundred Robots)

Harold and the Purple Crayon (by Crockett Johnson/Trilogy Studios)

Pat the Bunny (by Dorothy Kunhardt/Random Digital)

Don’t Let the Pigeon Run this App! (by Mo Willems/Smart Planet Digital)

Spot the Dot (by David Carter/Ruckus Mobile Media)

Otter on His Own (by Doe Boyle/Oceanhouse Media)

How Rocket Learned to Read (by Tad Hills/Random House Digital)

Moonbot Studios’ The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, The Numberlys, &
Imag.N.O.Tron

Ruckus Mobile Media’s many stories, folk tales and legends, including Johnny
Appleseed  & The Velveteen Rabbit

Where Do Balloons Go? (by Jamie Lee Curtis/Auryn, Inc.)

The Monster at the End of the Book…Starring Grover! (Sesame Workshop/Callaway
Digital Arts)

The Great Cookie Thief… A Sesame Street App Starring Cookie Monster (Sesame
Workshop/Callaway Digital Arts)

Press Here (by Hervé Tullet/Chronicle Books)

Sunday in Kyoto (Lyrics and Music by Gilles Vigneault/The Secret Mountain)

Moomin, Mymble and Little My (based on the title by Tove Jansson/Spinfy)

Pop Out! The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (by Beatrix Potter/Loud Crow Interactive)

Cinderella: A 3-D Fairy Tale (Illus. by Ed Bryan/Nosy Crow)

Will You Come for a Sleepover? (By Marianne Busser and Ron Schröder/Piccolo)

Tim on the Tiles (Tjibbe Veldkamp/Piccolo)

Boats (Byron Barton/Oceanhouse Media)

The Going to Bed Book (Sandra Boynton/Loud Crow)

Franklin Frog (by Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter/ Nosy Crow’s “Rounds”
series)

Parker Penguin (Nosy Crow’s “Rounds” series)

Goodnight Moon (by Margaret Wise Brown/Loud Crow Interactive)

Fiction & Literature

Frankenstein (by Dave Morris, based on Mary Shelley’s novel/Inkle)

Moby-Dick: A Digital Odyssey (based on Herman Melville’s novel/Arcade)

Treasure Island (abridged ed. of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel/Space Dogs)

T. S. Eliot’s The Wasteland (Touch Press)

Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (Penguin, 1KStudios)

Chopsticks (Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral/Penguin/ Citrus Suite)

Othello other titles from the “Shakesperience” series (Sourcebooks/iBooks)

Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Touch Press/ The Arden Shakespeare/ Faber and Faber Ltd.)

Chasing Fireflies: A Haiku Collection (trans. by Peter Beilenson/Honeybee Labs)

Horrible Hauntings (by Shirin Yim Bridges/Trigger)

Bottom of the Ninth (Ryan Woodward/Ryan Woodward Art & Animation)

Nonfiction & Reference Apps

Bats! Furry Fliers of the Night (by Mary Kay Carson /Bookerella, Story Services Ltd.)

Bobo Explores Light (by Craig Fusco/Game Collage, LLC; Juraj Hlaváč )

My First Classical Music App (by Genevieve Helsby and Jason Chapman/Naxos Digital)

X Is for X-Ray: An A to Z Look inside Everyday Objects (by Paul Rosenthal/Touch Press)

Barefoot World Atlas (by Nick Crane/Touch Press)

Britannica Kids: Ancient Egypt, Knights and Castles, Snakes, etc.

D-Day, Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, and other titles in the “Great Battles” series (various/Amber)

Weird but True!  (National Geographic Society)

Brooklyn Bridge, The Parthenon, and The Taj Mahal (by Elizabeth Mann/ iBooks)

Annie Fox’s “Middle School Confidential” series (Free Spirit/Electric Eggplant)

“Our Amazing World” series: Antarctica, Penguins, and Owls  (Wayne Lynch/ Matchbook Press)

Beware Madame La Guillotine (by Sarah Towle/Time Traveler Tours, LLC)

Journey into the Deep (by Rebecca Johnson/Lerner)

The Wonders of Geology (by Michael Collier/Mikaya Press)

Al Gore’s Our Choice (by Al Gore/Melcher Media/Push Pop Press)

Fragile Earth (Collins)

Elements (Touch Press)

Journey to the Exoplanets (by Edward Bell, Ron Miller/FSG, Scientific American & Brandwidth)

Solar System (by Marcus Chown/Touch Press)

March of the Dinosaurs (hybrid fic/nonfic; Touch Press LLC, in conjunction with National Geographic &     Wide-Eyed Entertainment)

Gems and Jewels (by Lance Grande & Allison Augustyn/Touch Press)

Pyramids 3D (Touch Press)

Leonardo Da Vinci: Anatomy (by Martin Clayton/Touch Press)

Skulls (by Simon Winchester, Touch Press)

Building Titantic (National Geographic)

DK Human Body (by Steve Parker/Medi-Motion, Dorling Kindersley)

Tate Guide to Modern Art (by Simon Wilson with Jessica Lack and the Tate staff/ Tate Publishing/   Aimer  Media

Mini-Monsters (3D 4 Medical Science)

Fiske Interactive College Guide 2012 (Sourcebooks)

And finally, a few book-inspired game apps

Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes (by Rosemary Wells/ Auryn, Inc./Fourth Story Media)

Dr. Seuss Band (Oceanhouse Media)

Elmo Calls (Sesame Workshop)

Where Is My Frog? (by Mercer Mayer/ Sterling Publishing)

Eric Carle’s My Very First App (Philomel/Night & Day Studios)

Counting with the Very Hungry Caterpillar (by Eric Carle/Penguin/Night & Day Studios)

Big Nate Comix by U! (by Lincoln Peirce /Night & Day Studios)

How to Rock Braces and Glasses (by Meg Haston/Hachette/Alloy Entertainment)

High School Bites (by Heather Brewer/Penguin)

Reviews in this column first appeared in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. Please note that later versions of some of these titles may now be available. Visit Touch and Go at slj.com under “Blogs & Columns” for additional reviews, commentary, and interviews with people in the field.–Daryl Grabarek

Atlas by Collins. Harper Collins Publishers. 2012. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Version 1.0.3. $6.99.
Gr 6 Up–This expansive app contains seven globes: satellite, physical, political, population, environment, communications, and energy. For each thematic section text and illustrations combine to provide an overview of the subject.

“Living Earth” explores the natural world and a variety of landscapes, as well as changes in and threats to the planet, among other topics. “People and Power” considers where energy reserves are located, where energy is produced and consumed, how technology connects the world, and more. These and other subjects are addressed through questions and detailed answers are provided along with captioned photos, charts, and graphs (sources cited).

Viewers swipe to spin the 3-D globes; pinch and pull to zoom in and out. While zooming in the globe will switch to Google Maps with an Internet connection. A location bar at the top of each screen marks the city and country or region displayed. A tap on the information symbol opens a window that reveals country statistics and information on the nation’s land, climate, economy, demographics, and transportation, and a few images. Each entry also includes links to the country’s web site.

Menus below each globe provide readers with additional facts about our planet including birth rates, pollution hotspots, and Internet usage. Color-coded keys and symbols help readers interpret the information. (The app contains no narration or sound effects.)

The satellite globe is the only one that downloads when users purchase the app. The others must be installed individually, and the amount of time required to do so is considerable. While the breadth of information inAtlas is impressive, its tendency to shut down and the substantial amount of storage space required (1.3 GB) may prove problematic for some users.–Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, ME

Franklin Frog. Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter. Nosy Crow Ltd. 2012. iOS, requires 3.1.3 or later. Version 1.0.2. $4.99.
PreS-Gr 2–Hibernation is on the mind of an amphibian in this interactive, animated introduction to the habits and life cycle of a frog. Users meet the mature fellow resting on a lily pad. From there they direct him through his habitat and day as he hops to land, snares a tasty snail and worm, and swims in a pond, carefully avoiding predators. As the seasons change, the frog hibernates (viewers help locate a likely spot), awakens in the spring, and eventually finds a mate. From one of the eggs laid by the female, a frogspawn hatches and the story begins anew. With its simple activities and circular format, this colorful app is bound to keep young children engaged through several frog generations.

Children can read the story independently or listen to a winning child narrator. There are occasional verbal and visual (glowing dots, blinking arrows) prompts. The background music is soothing and the sounds of pond life, realistic. A delightful balance between educational and entertaining.– Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middletown, DE

Goodnight Moon. Margaret Wise Brown. Loud Crow Interactive. 2012. iOS, requires 4.3 or later. Version 1.1. $4.99; Android, requires 2.3.3 and Up. Version 1.2. $2.99
PreS-K–On the opening screen Brown’s classic title appears against pastel bed covers, a plush stuffed rabbit, and some not-too-subtle advertising for add-on purchases. A tap to the jacket and the book opens as the background becomes a deep-blue sky filled with twinkling stars. A double-page spread of the story covers only half the screen, so images and text are somewhat reduced in size.

The digital version retains the rich palette of Clement Hurd’s original illustrations, and there are loads of enchanting animations, sound effects, and interactive elements: flickering flames in the bedroom fireplace, a cow that jumps over the moon, stars that dissolve on touch, and the opportunity to inscribe the book with child’s name and/or photo. But there are also features and games that may not be intuitive, or of interest to kids: a mouse hunt, a sticker collection (more for purchase), and a spy glass that enlarges only a small portion of an image or the text while obscuring the rest of it.

The narration is evenly paced and soothing, and a gentle piano tune plays throughout (the volume is adjustable). To advance the text, a long swipe is best; a short one may trigger more interactivity, which can frustrate children.

Parents are likely to be turned off by the add-ons (though the pitch can be locked down), but kids who love this story will enjoy viewing it with animation. While the interactivity will engage them, the extras are just that.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

With snow blanketing the country there’s not much else to do but pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, grab your iPad, and get ready for a wintery adventure featuring two boys, a whale, and a polar bear or two.

Valentine Parguey and Charly Playe’s Scott’s Polar Trip (Square Igloo, 2012; iOS $2.99; Android $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) finds a young boy traveling in the Arctic Circle via submarine. Through his periscope, the youth glimpses an Inuit child staring over the edge of an ice floe into the water below. Inook has discovered a baby whale trapped in a net and Scott offers to help him rescue it. After this successful mission, the two have several other adventures involving polar bears, wolves, and other creatures of the North.

This entertaining app is easy to navigate. A magnifying glass indicates when there are more images to be discovered, such as a photo of an igloo, a whale, snow goggles, etc., each accompanied by informative nonfiction text. Story illustrations by Matt Roussel are colorful, featuring icy blues, unusual perspectives, and slight animations. Four games related to Inuit culture are embedded into the story; viewers can work on an puzzle of an igloo, play blanket toss, search for murre eggs, and build an Inukshuk.

Screen shot from ‘Scott’s Polar Adventure’ (Square Igloo) Roussel

Two age-level options are available: 3-4 or 5-7, which determine the amount and level of nonfiction text that accompanies the photos. Children can choose to read the story on their own or have it read to them, in one of three languages (English, Spanish, and French). A sprinkling of (defined) Inuit words also appears. Ambient sounds, such as the cry of the whale when the boys are trying to rescue it, add a nice layer to the story, but can be switched off if desired. This is one trip that children are sure to enjoy.-Omar Ramiriz, Northlake Public Library District. Northlake, IL

Eds. note: Scott’s Polar Adventure has a trailer.

A young patron with an iPad at Darien (CT) Library. Photo courtesy of Gretchen Caserotti.

A recent storytime at the Watertown (MA) Free Public Library began, as usual, with a song, followed by a “stand up, sit down” exercise to help the kids settle in. Children read from Don and Audrey Wood’s iconic picture book The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear (Child’s Play, 1990). But then came a digital twist.

Emily Miranda, Watertown’s supervisor of children’s services, passed out 15 iPads. Parents and children huddled close and opened The Three Little Pigs (Nosy Crow), an interactive, musical app, which allows children to physically participate in the story. “The characters have these fantastic British accents,” says Miranda. “It’s really fun to watch the kids blowing their houses down. Their snot’s going everywhere and it’s great!”

Watertown’s experiment with “digital storytime” is part of a larger, nationwide shift toward using apps in children’s library programs for education, entertainment, and involving parents in the learning process. Miranda says that apps such as Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App! (Disney) offer levels of complexity that work for different age groups. They’re also very useful, she says, for “new-to-English families who need to teach their children.”

At Darien (CT) Library, early literacy iPad kits—which include a tablet with preloaded apps and a media literacy kit—are available for checkout. Getting good apps into kids’ hands is the biggest problem for parents and developers alike, says Gretchen Caserotti, Darien’s assistant director for public services, and that’s where libraries could help.

Meanwhile, Kathy Kleckner, a children’s librarian for Dakota County (MN) Libraries, is skeptical. She says that relying on apps for storytelling dilutes the key ingredient in a child’s development: human interaction. Kleckner adds that the benefits—and possible risks—of using apps are not yet well known. “My main concern is the vulnerabilities as [children’s] brains develop,” she says, citing research conducted by Dimitri Christakis, a child development expert at Seattle Children’s Hospital, on the harmful cognitive effects of screen time for kids under five years old. There is also concern about the potential misuse of information collected by the apps, says Judy Nelson, a librarian in the Pierce County Library System in Tacoma, WA.

Dakota County and Pierce County haven’t yet integrated apps into their children’s library programs, partly due to lack of parent interest, Kleckner says. “Truthfully I’ve never been asked about an app—how to use one, what are the good ones. They ask me, ‘what are the good books?’”

But advocates and dissenters alike agreed that apps are here to stay. Nelson says her library will begin curating a list of reputable and age-appropriate apps by 2013. “Whether we like it or not, that genie’s out of the bottle, so we have to manage it effectively,” she says.

Meanwhile, Darien plans to mount iPads in different sections of the children’s library, with apps that correspond to each section. A real impetus here is the Common Core standards. “This notion of informational content will spur a lot more excitement about apps such as NatGeo,” says Caserotti.

At Watertown, which has received an IMLS Science Is Everywhere grant, “the iPads can be useful for a project in which children dissect owl pellets, says Miranda. “iPads can help with finding information. I don’t how many ounces of food an owl needs!”

Image from ‘Atlas by Collins’

A number of apps address the state of our planet. One of the first produced for students was Al Gore’s award-winning Our Choice (Melcher Media/Push Pop Press; $4.99), featuring stunning photography, informative video clips, and a compelling message about global warming. In 7 Billion: How Your World Will Change (National Geographic; $4.99) thought-provoking photos, videos, charts, and articles examine the impact of population growth on the earth, including commentary on food sources, family size, and the most challenged regions of the world. Fragile Earth, one of SLJ’s Top 10 Apps of 2012, offers a gallery of photos detailing the impact of human endeavors and natural phenomena on the environment. Satellite and land photographs, taken from minutes to years apart, depict the alarming before-and-after effects of mining, deforestation, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other events on our landscape.

The recently released Atlas by Collins takes a look at our planet from a number of perspectives. Cathy Potter reviews it below.

Chart, “Energy Consumption,” from ‘Atlas by Collins’

Gr 6 Up-The expansive Atlas by Collins contains seven globes: satellite, physical, political, population, environment, communications, and energy. For each thematic section text and illustrations combine to provide an overview of the subject.

“Living Earth” explores the natural world and a variety of landscapes, as well as changes in and threats to the planet, among other topics. “People and Power” considers where energy reserves are located, where energy is produced and consumed, how technology connects the world, and more. These and other subjects are addressed through questions (“What are the major environmental threats to our planet and the areas most affected? “What energy reserves does each country contain?” “Where in the world can you get mobile phone coverage?) and detailed answers are provided along with captioned photos, charts, and graphs (sources cited).

Viewers swipe to spin the 3-D globes; pinch and pull to zoom in and out. While zooming in the globe will switch to Google Maps, but an Internet connection is required to take advantage of this feature. A location bar at the top of each screen marks the city and country or region displayed. A tap on the information symbol opens a window that reveals country statistics and information on the nation’s land, climate, economy, demographics, and transportation, and a few images–information that will be useful to student researchers. Each entry also includes links to the country’s web site.

Menus below each globe provide readers with a plethora of information about our planet including birth rates, pollution hotspots, and Internet usage. Color-coded keys and symbols help readers interpret the information presented. (The app contains no narration or sound effects.)

The satellite globe is the only one that downloads when users purchase the app. The others must be installed individually, and the amount of time required to do so is considerable. While the breadth of information in Atlas by Collins is impressive, the download time, tendency to shut down, and substantial amount of storage space required (1.3 GB) may prove problematic for some users.—Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, ME

Eds. note: For a look inside Atlas by Collins take a peek at the trailer.

There’s no doubt about it: app production has skyrocketed. But curiously, a number of children’s book publishers and app developers are now thinking twice about the format. After dipping the proverbial toe in the water, some companies have put app development on hold, while others are exploring their options, trying to determine how to create these costly innovative items and still make a buck. Some organizations, including Random House and Sesame Workshop, have extended their partnerships to include apps, and many more bookshelf apps, such as MeeGenius! and Wanderful, are hosting collections of titles that are grouped by theme, specialization, or publisher. In a word, the world of apps is in flux.

But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a slew of exceptional products this year, and you’ll find a number of them on our list. As with most year-end lists, this one is subjective, and it includes only apps that have been reviewed in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. You’ll note a front-runner, but those items that follow can stand proudly side-by-side.

 1. Moonbot Studios deserves high praise. Its Oscar-winning team, led by kids’ book creator William Joyce and film director Brandon Oldenburg, was one of the first to create an app, IMAG.N.O.TRON, that features augmented reality—a technology that layers digital images and information onto the real world. How does this cutting-edge app work? Clutching an iPad, simply hold the app over a page of Joyce’s bestseller The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (S & S/Atheneum, 2012), an ode to the joys of reading. As soon as the app recognizes an image, the magic begins: books suddenly start to flutter, fly, and softly recite their lines; characters begin to wink; images are seamlessly transformed from 2-D into 3-D, and a bicyclist appears to glide off the printed page. Moonbot’s signature wit and originality are in evidence here, but with this app, seeing is truly believing.

2. Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral’s young adult novel, CHOPSTICKS (Penguin/Citrus Suite), is a format-bending mystery that’s told through photos, news clippings, and artwork—and the kicky digital version packs some added punch. Will the embedded songs, YouTube videos, animated IMs, sound effects, and a “shuffle” feature that lets viewers choose alternate readings help solve this sophisticated puzzle? The verdict’s still out.

3. With just a touch of the screen, kids can zoom in from outer space and land anywhere on Earth thanks to Nick Crane’s BAREFOOT WORLD ATLAS (Barefoot Books/Touch Press). Then it’s a quick jump to another region, country, landmark, or activity of their choice. Narrated bits, delightful animations, background music, and real-time data inform viewers about the amazing range of traditions, cultures, geographical features, and animals found on our globe. This is one trip kids won’t want to end.

4. Looking for a healthy dose of interactivity? Try Jamie Lee Curtis’s whimsical picture book Where Do Balloons Go? (HarperCollins/Auryn, Inc.), with vibrant illustrations by Laura Cornell. Among the splendid features that await those who tap, tilt, pinch, and swipe their way through this rhyming story are musical interludes, animated vignettes, theater-to-showcase user-created videos, and, oh yes, an opportunity to record your own squeaky, helium-induced voice. With its unique features, this app offers hours of fun.

5. Artists who are grappling with the best way to bring comic books to the tablet can take some tips from Ryan Woodward’s BOTTOM OF THE NINTH (Ryan Woodward Art & Animation). Sepia panels incorporating baseball memorabilia and splashes of color are enhanced with the sights and sounds of America’s favorite pastime as Candy Cunningham takes to the pitcher’s mound to play “New Baseball,” 200 years in the future. With touch-triggered dialogue balloons, piped-in radio commentary, and dazzling animation, this one hits it out of the park.

6. If you’re not yet convinced that Moonbot Studios’ creative team is pure genius, take a look at THE NUMBERLYS, an app inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis. In The Numberlys’s grey futuristic world, letters don’t exist—until five roly-poly factory workers sporting puffball hairdos hammer, bend, and forge their way through the alphabet with the help of viewers. As the narrator says, at first the laborers’ efforts were “awful. Then at last… artful.” Indeed.

7. Somewhere beyond this double, double toil and trouble, Shakespeare must be smiling. With extensive notes and commentary, videos of famed actors performing each of the Bard’s 154 sonnets, a facsimile of the 1609 Quarto, and other noteworthy highlights, THE SONNETS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Touch Press) offers a stunning look at the playwright’s work. Really, who needs a classroom when you can watch and listen to actress Fiona Shaw recite Shakespeare at home?

8. Breathtaking visuals, a concise text, and a narrated tour of some of our nation’s most spectacular natural sites make Michael Collier’s WONDERS OF GEOLOGY (Mikaya Press/Tasa Graphic Arts) a contender for the Eighth Wonder of the World. Close-up views, animated diagrams, and arrows that point to the geographic features under discussion transform basic science concepts into fascinating brain food. Throw in flawless navigation, and this app is a secondary student’s go-to text.

9.Based on a folk song by Gilles Vigneault, SUNDAY IN KYOTO (Les Productions Folle Avoine/The Secret Mountain) tells the story of an ensemble of musicians (who play koto, guitar, piano, shamisen, bouzouki, banjo, and harp) that was organized by one Cajun Joe. Amusing details, subtle animations, a toe-tapping tune, and a few Zen-like moments (including a bronze Buddha that claps and a discreet mouse that emerges for a bow at the performance’s finale) make this performance absolutely irresistible.

10. In FRAGILE EARTH (HarperCollins/Aimer Media), 170 pairs of captioned, before-and-after photos, taken on the ground or by satellite, reveal the often-devastating effects of hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural phenomena on our vulnerable planet—as well as the harmful consequences of urbanization, mining, and global warming. In one horrifying sequence, 15 minutes separate two black-and-white photos taken before and after a violent dust storm engulfed a Kansas town. These and other images are enlightening, and often, alarming.

Technology isn’t supposed to turn us into idiots—it’s supposed to make us smarter. And yet, these days the phrase “technology addiction” is cropping up all over the place. A University of Maryland 2011 study found that the majority of the 1,000 students who were interviewed admitted that they were unable to abstain from using technology for an entire day. The students I work with seem to have developed nervous tics, constantly flipping out their cell phones to check on texts, messages, or the time.

Rather than bemoaning our fate as teachers battling this new disease, we need to embrace it. If you can’t keep your students from checking their cell phones 50 times each class period, make your students’ devices work to your purpose. A smorgasbord of tools are available to help you do just that. Use Poll Everywhere to quiz your students. You create the questions and your students text their responses using laptops, tablets, or mobile phones. Display the website with your Smartboard or projector and watch the responses roll in, changing the graph on the screen as each student responds. Students can also text comments and questions. This is a free application for up to 40 responders. PollDaddy is a similar tool that provides live web polling and can be embedded in web pages and blogs. Socrative is another polling tool that also runs on laptops, tablets, and smartphones and allows you to take a quick poll of your students through true-or-false, multiple-choice, or short-answer questions.  Socrative also includes exit tickets, a quick way to gage students’ understanding of the day’s lesson; quizzes that are graded for you; and the game Space Race, in which teams of students answer questions as fast as they can to move their rocket across the screen to victory.

Create a class Twitter account and encourage (or require) kids to tweet notes, comments, and questions on various topics that they’re studying. Use Twtpoll,a tool that allows you to launch polls directly from your Twitter account. The class account can serve as a note-taking tool. Assign a different student each day to be the class tweeter and encourage all your students to tweet their comments and questions during class and later when they’re doing homework and need help.

Right before class starts, send out a group text with Remind101 that explains the day’s objective. Remind101 is also a great tool for keeping in touch with students after school hours. Need to extend a deadline?  Text them. Want to remind kids to bring in certain supplies? Text them.

Technology can be an addictive hindrance to education, or it can enhance and expand the ways we communicate with and engage our students. Mobile devices are here to stay. Make them work for you.

Adapting any children’s classic to a new format is tricky. Purists will scream it’s not the original; others will be delighted to discover a new way to enjoy an old favorite, or, when it’s been out-of-print for a while, appreciate the opportunity to have access to the story once again. The good news is, we aren’t being asked to choose between formats.

Dorothy Kunhardt’s Pat the Bunny (Random House Digital) and Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon (Trilogy Studios) are examples digital stories that can stand side-by-side with their print counterparts. Pat the Bunny offers a non-linear version of the tale, with delightful, age-appropriate interactivity built in. No scratchy Daddy’s face to feel here, but children can use their fingers to move a sled, pop bubbles, or paint.

For generations, children have wanted to borrow Harold’s crayon and reproduce his meandering lines on the page; in the app they are actually encouraged to do it. And when this boy sets sail on the ocean, children watch as waves rock his boat and seagulls fly overhead.

Like these digital versions, the Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon can be appreciated as an app. Is it the same as the print? No. Will preschoolers be able to enjoy both? Most likely.

On Goodnight Moon’s (Loud Crow Interactive; PreS-K; $4.99 iOS, $2.99 Android) opening screen, a copy of the book appears against pastel bed covers, a plush stuffed rabbit, and some not-too-subtle advertising for add-on purchases (Goodnight Moon ABC and Goodnight Moon 123). A tap to the jacket and the book opens as the background becomes a deep-blue sky filled with twinkling stars. A double-page spread of the story covers only half the screen, so images and text are somewhat reduced in size.

The digital version retains the rich palette of Clement Hurd’s original illustrations, and there are loads of enchanting animations, sound effects, and interactive elements: flickering flames in the bedroom fireplace, a cow that jumps over the moon, a giggling rabbit, stars that dissolve on touch, and the opportunity to inscribe the book with child’s name and/or photo. But there are also features and games that may not be intuitive, or of interest to kids: a mouse hunt, a sticker collection (more for purchase), and a spy glass that enlarges only a small portion of an image or text while obscuring the rest of it.

The narration is evenly paced and soothing, and a gentle piano tune plays throughout (the volume is adjustable). To advance the text, a long swipe is best; a short one may trigger more interactivity, which can frustrate children.

Parents are likely to be turned off by the add-ons (though the pitch can be locked down), but kids who love this story will enjoy seeing it on the screen with animation. While the interactivity will engage them, the extras are just that.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

The next app is classic Don Freeman.

In Don Freeman’s 1973 picture book, Flash the Dash (Children’s Press), readers meet a lazy dachshund and his partner, Sashay. At first, it’s Sashay who does odd jobs about town to keep them in treats and liverwurst, but eventually she convinces her reluctant mate to do his share. Flash finds a job as a telegram delivery dog, “gets his wiggle on,” and enjoys his work (and smart-looking cap). Due to his speed, he earns his nickname.

However, as the seasons change and spring arrives, the dachshund begins to ignore his duties and is soon found napping in fields and under trees. During one sleepy detour, a telegram floats away. A woman discovers it, notes it is addressed to Flash, and reads it to him. When Flash learns Sashay has had puppies, he gets “the message.”

In the app version (Auryn, Inc. $3.99; PreS–Gr 2) children can read the story or listen to the mellow narration. “Auto Play” allows for a hands-off experience as the text is read karaoke-style (each word is highlighted in red as it’s spoken), with automatic page turns. Children can also choose to customize the narration by recording their own version of the story. Items on the page such as tree and sidewalk are named when tapped in all operating modes.

Freeman’s original gold-toned illustrations are bright, clear, and appealing. This out-of-print picture book will be enjoyed by a new generation in digital. A free, “lite” version is available to sample.—Morgan Doane, Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids, MI

Interior of ‘Ladybug at Orchard Avenue’ (Oceanhouse) Buchs

With a clear, informative text and colorful illustrations, Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld’s Ladybug at Orchard Avenue (Oceanhouse Media/Soundprints; $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) explores the dangers a beetle encounters foraging for food as winter approaches: “The bristly jaws of an ant gape over Ladybug’s head like a giant pair of pliers.” The descriptive text notes the protective body parts and defensive mechanisms that the creature has at its disposal, from rigid forewings to malodorous secretions that ooze from its leg-joints. A final section provides information about ladybug development and hibernation.

Throughout, sounds of crickets, birds, and flapping wings can be heard. There’s no animation, but the story progresses smoothly as panning and zooming effectively focus viewers’ attention on the action.

The clear illustrations by Thomas Buchs offer great text support for new readers. In addition, in the “Read to Me” and “Autoplay” modes, words are highlighted along with the narration. In the “Read it Myself” option, children can tap a word to hear it read aloud. When a particular image is touched, a label zooms to the forefront of the screen and the word is spoken. In some cases, the specific animal parts named in the story, such as the ant’s jaws, are identified as such, but too often it’s generic term— and a missed opportunity to deliver the information that kids deserve in an informational text.—Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books

Hibernation is also on the mind of one Franklin Frog  (Nosy Crow, PreS-Gr 2; $4.99) in Barry and Emma Tranter’s interactive, animated introduction to the habits and life cycle of this amphibian. Users meet the mature fellow resting on a lily pad. From there they direct him through his habitat and day as he hops to land, snares a tasty snail and worm, and swims in a pond, carefully avoiding predators. As time passes and seasons change, the frog hibernates (viewers help locate a likely spot), awakens in the spring, and eventually finds a mate. From one of the eggs laid by the female, a frogspawn hatches and the story begins anew—now focused on the tadpole. With its simple activities and circular format, this colorful app is bound to keep young children engaged through several frog generations.

Children can read the story independently or listen to a winning child narrator. There are occasional verbal and visual (glowing dots, blinking arrows) prompts. The background music is soothing and the sounds of pond life, realistic. Franklin Frog strikes a delightful balance between educational and entertaining.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middletown, DE

After discovering a bone in the sand a young girl ponders what life might have been life for a pterosaur in Claire Ewart’s Fossil (Auracle, $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) Rich, watercolor illustrations add to the informative rhyming text that traces the creature’s millennium-long path from flight to fossilization.

Along with the clear narration, children can tap scenery and animals to listen to labels and learn a few words not found in the text. Readers have the added option of personalizing the book by scripting their own story or recording their own audio. The original text can be reset at any time.

An added feature is a bibliography that can be accessed from the home screen. To note: the most recent date on any listing is 2002, while most hover around 1989. Appended to the poem is an article on fossil evidence and theories about prehistoric life. Young dino fans and those looking for an introduction to fossils won’t be disappointed.—Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy, Houston, TX

Reviews in this column first appeared in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. After each review, you’ll find the date it appeared online. Online, there are links to related resources, a trailer (if one exists), and a link to purchase information. Please note that later versions of some of these titles may now be available. Visit Touch and Go at slj.com under “Blogs & Columns” for additional reviews, commentary, and interviews with people in the field.

Othello: The Shakesperience. William Shakespeare. Sourcebooks, Inc. iBooks. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. 2012. $5.99.
Gr 9 Up–Let’s face it. Who hasn’t struggled with Shakespeare? Sourcebooks’ “Shakesperience” iBooks, which build on their earlier print plus CD series, are designed to remedy this problem by helping readers connect with the playwright’s texts more easily and more deeply. Othello catapults users from a colorful book cover image directly into act 1, scene 1 on a screen designed to look like the double-page spread of an open book. Indexes and navigation icons are hidden until the top of the screen is touched.

The text drives the iPad experience: behind words and phrases highlighted in blue are explanatory notes, and by the second page turn users will discover audio scene introductions by the renowned Shakespearian actor Sir Derek Jacobi, and short, read-along audio recordings by notable stage and film actors. Comparative audio renditions of actors performing carefully selected classic lines (Paul Robeson, John Kani, and Hugh Quarshie as Othello and Emma Fielding and Uta Hagen as Desdemona, etc.), bonus archival recordings by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edwin Booth, and video clips from live performances will enhance viewers’ engagement with the play.

Additional layers of information include galleries of captioned black-and-white and full-color stage photographs; costume and set renderings; production notes; authoritative articles providing historical context; and interviews with actors, directors, and a voice coach. Tools for note-taking, highlighting, and bookmarking are available, as are embedded definitions and a searchable glossary of more than 1400 terms. A table of contents aids access. For teachers and students, as well as all of those who missed the brilliance of Shakespeare the first time around, The Shakesperience: Othello, is a dream come true.–Kathleen Wilson, New York University, NY, NY (10/11/12)

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare. Touch Press/Illuminations/The Arden Shakespeare/ Faber and Faber Ltd; 2012; iOS, requires 5.0 or later. $13.99.
Gr 11 Up–In an app that will appeal to even the most reluctant of students, Touch Press has assembled a brilliant team of scholars and actors to produce the equivalent of a course in Shakespeare’s sonnets. Each of the 154 selections begins with a video recording of an actor’s recitation of the work (delivered by Stephen Fry, Patrick Stewart, Fiona Shaw, or another noted performer). As the verse is presented, users can choose to view the performance full-screen, or read the verses as the corresponding text is highlighted. Additional notes analyze individual lines.

Don Paterson provides commentary for each sonnet, and contributes to the fascinating section titled, “Perspectives.” Here students will gain a better understanding of Shakespeare’s contribution to the form, discover speculative theory about his sexuality, and learn the origins of original pronunciation.

Cicely Berry shares thoughts on how academics have “stolen the sound of Shakespeare from us” in that people feel they “must” study him to appreciate his language. Author Katherine Duncan-Jones considers the use of the sonnet to explore private emotions without puns. There are also a few discussions about the true authorship of the verses.

Every “Perspectives” entry is composed of text and a corresponding video. These unpretentious, you-are-there conversations allow users to connect to the sonnet as a form, and illuminate the meaning and intent of the works. Shakespeare’s narrative poem, “A Lover’s Complaint” is also given attention. The app includes a text-only category of notes from The Arden Shakespeare offering information on context and illusion and the reception and criticism of the selections, but that section and the facsimile of the 1609 edition of the Sonnets pale in comparison to the video-rich resources.

Large buttons on the home page link each section, and the sonnets can be accessed by actor or number. Students and teachers will want to watch the videos multiple times, in English classes, as well as theater class for its acting suggestions. An essential purchase for upper-level literature classes and anyone interested in Shakespeare performance.–Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY (10/11/12)

From witches and monsters to haunted houses and headless horsemen, there’s something for everyone this holiday season.

It was a stroke of genius to combine augmented reality technology and a collection of ghost stories. Horrible Hauntings is a free app (Trigger) that works in conjunction with Shirin Yim Bridges’s book of the same title (Goosebottom Books, 2012; Gr 5 Up). Each of the 10 folktales and legends begins with an excerpt followed by a history of the story’s origin and reports of sightings of the ghost or ghoul in question. Illustrating each tale—from “The Flying Dutchman” to “Bloody Mary”—is an oil painting by William Maughan depicting a variety of settings for spectral viewings: a dark forest, an unlit gallery, a shadowy moor, The Tower of London. Viewers are instructed to hold their iPad or iPhone device directly over the illustrations and watch as the apparitions appear. On one screen a woman in a brown dress floats down a deep staircase accompanied by eerie music; in another, the Headless Horseman charges off the page; and in a third, a skeleton clanks across a stone floor. The trailer will give readers a peek at this exciting technology.

For the younger crowd, there’s Charles M. Schulz’s It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Loud Crow Interactive; K-Gr4; $4.99), narrated by Peter Robbins, “the original voice” of the comic strip character on the big screen. As our reviewer Melissa Murphy notes, “In addition to listening to the story of the Peanuts gang on the eve of Halloween, children can interact with this app. Sometimes it’s as simple as touching a character to make him or her move or speak, while at other moments it’s helping Lucy bob for apples, or playing the piano with Schroeder. Many of these actions aren’t apparent at first glance, so exploring each page is essential.

Readers can jump into the story by creating their own avatar, but this requires an account (email and password necessary). While it’s free to make the avatar, access to costumes requires coins. These can be earned by unlocking rewards or they can be purchased. Once the avatar is created, it will appear in the story. Overall, a fun retelling of a holiday classic that have readers and listeners wanting to hit replay, but they should be cautioned about potential costs.”

Fans of popular culture will also want to take a look at Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book (iBooks2; Free; Gr 6 Up), a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated film (Disney, 2012). “Frankenweenie” is the story of a boy who resurrects his dog, and kids are encouraged to Frankenweenie-fy their pets (Disney; Gr 3 Up; Free) with that app. Selecting a photo of a favorite animal from their camera roll or Facebook album, viewers can manipulate the image by adjusting the contrast or selecting a backdrop, or adding a name, the “Frankenweenie” logo, or a new set of eyes or ears before saving or emailing the black-and-white picture. Photos of friends and family will likely be fair game when this app gets in kids’ hands.

Interior art, “Frankenstein” (Dave Morris/Inkle, Ltd.)

For a “sophisticated take on Mary Shelley’s classic,” try Dave Morris’s Frankenstein (Inkle, Ltd.; Gr 8 Up; $4.99). In this version, readers are asked to choose the direction of the story. Our reviewer found the artwork “delightfully atmospheric.” The ideal audience for this app?  “Readers who couldn’t get enough of  Darren Shan’s horror series, moved on to Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavor, and [are] drawn to Rick Yancy’s “Monstrumologist” books.” A trailer is available.

Each knock in Peekaboo Trick or Treat with Ed Emberly (Night & Day Studios, Inc.; PreS; $1.99) brings one of 14 creatures to the door, until all the characters assemble for a quick dance. When viewers bid this friendly group farewell, they’ll see the silhouette of a witch as it passes through moonlight, and a final scene where a gorilla, robot, and puppy snore soundly while a bat hangs upside down, eyes wide open, and “Happy Halloween” is heard. The bold, flat colors of the story will appeal to the intended audience. Listeners can choose between a child or adult narrator. With the sound off, emergent readers can practice their developing skills on the one word that appears on each screen.

And for the youngsters who want their thrills “without the fright,” don’t miss Go Away, Big Green Monster! (Night & Day Studios, Inc.; PreS-K; $2.99), based on Emberly’s popular title featuring die-cut illustrations. Read the full review of this app, and take a peek at the trailer…this is one production that will have children and adults tapping their toes.

A young girl in a witch costume lets her dressed-up friends know, You Can’t Scare Me! (Auryn; K-Gr 2; $.99) in the Wendy Wax story, but inadvertently scares herself when she sees her own image in a mirror. The simple rhyming text and the pictures—a collage of photos against colorful interiors—aren’t particularly exciting, but children will have fun playing the “Match” and “Spot the Difference” games, and personalizing the app.

Screen shot from “Meet Heckerty” (Broomstick Productions)

In Meet Heckerty! 
(Broomstick Productions; PreS-K; Free until 10/31/12) children encounter a 409-year-old witch who wakes up one morning to discover she is covered in warts. The wrong spell, chanted with the help of her cat Zanzibar, doesn’t reverse this condition, but leaves Heckerty hopeful that viewers will still want to be her friend.

And finally, don’t miss the MeeGenius! Bookshelf collection of narrated holiday stories—each title can be sampled before purchase. Sesame Street’s Michaela Muntean’s Which Witch is Which? (Sesame Street), Steven J. Simmons Alice and Greta, Barbara Barbieri McGrath’s The Little Green Witch, and Haunted Party by Iza Trapani, are a few of the available titles.

Options include the ability to tag schools of interest, to view college websites and embedded maps, to add notes, and to email admission offices, among others. Unfortunately, the app’s graphics do not hold up well on the latest iPad. Some of the headers and photographs have not been optimized for the iPad 3’s high-quality retina display screen, and appear lightly pixelated. As in the previous version of the app, access to a full-featured search function is still buried within each school’s individual profile rather than being displayed on the home screen. Considering the age and digital habits of the target audience for this resource, the lack of social media sharing capabilities appears to be a missed opportunity for increased interactivity.

Despite the fact that it’s a somewhat underwhelming update, the valuable content of Fiske 2012 remains a compelling reason to purchase it. Explore the app for its wealth of useful information and reviews. As a bonus, those who purchased the 2011 version can download the 2012 update for free.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA