A classic fairy tale of receives an invigorating update in Nosy Crow’s splendid Little Red Riding Hood. ($5.99; PreS-Gr 4). While the narrative remains the same—a little girl must avoid falling into the clutches of the Big Bad Wolf and save her grandparent—the reading experience is amplified by seamless interactivity and nonlinear storytelling.

As Little Red Riding Hood journeys through the woods, readers can choose from multiple routes to get her to Grandma’s house. Each path contains an interactive game or activity that requires readers to assist the girl as she gathers items that ultimately help her send the wolf on his way. Game play is wonderfully immersive; for instance, viewers can blow into the iPad’s microphone to disperse dandelions or tilt the screen to move a spider along its web.

The Big Bad Wolf confronts Little Red Riding Hood (Nosy Crow) Ed Byron

In the independent reading mode, children can manage the length of time the text appears on screen, while in the “Read and Play” option, words are highlighted as they are voiced. Tapping pale blue touch points triggers additional dialogue and information. A pull-down ribbon graphic reveals a map, outlining all the roads to Grandma’s house. Curious readers may skip parts of the story and proceed directly to a particular game or activity by touching its location on the map.

Gorgeous illustrations in vibrant hues, along with a zoom feature that allows readers to explore scenes in detail, add depth and quality. As with previous Nosy Crow productions, the winsome narration by British child actors is thoroughly enchanting. With a touch of modernity, Little Red Riding Hood’s vermilion cape is now a practical hoodie, and the wolf sports a jaunty newsboy cap and snazzy plaid pants that belie his razor-sharp intentions. With broad appeal for a range of ages, this is a must-have production. If you don’t have app collection at your library, Little Red Riding Hood might be the motivation to start one.—Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, Escondido, CA

Eds. note: A trailer of Little Red Riding Hood is available for viewing at the Nosy Crow website.

Cognitive Kids’ “Ansel & Clair” apps feature an intergalactic, time-traveling duo that visit Earth on fact-finding missions. The apps’ winning combination of information and game play has garnered Cognitive Kids an impressive list of awards. Here are two apps in the series—we’ll be back to take a look at another group soon.

The celebrated 1775 midnight ride of the Boston patriot receives the full treatment in Ansel & Clair: Paul Revere’s Ride (Cognitive Kid, $4.99; Gr 4-6). Viewers are introduced to well-known and less-familiar Revolutionary War figures and get a taste of the intrigue surrounding events associated with the conflict. They are guided by a young alien journalist, Ansel, and his able robot, Clair, who are on Earth to learn about the era. The app, part history lesson, part game, offers historical detail, appealing visuals, and a variety of engaging activities.

The opening screen delivers a brief tutorial on how to use the app and the chance to name a player that works along with the adventurers. Ansel and Clair arrive on Earth aboard their spacecraft, which can travel through space and time. Clair sets the stage with some background information and the first game: a puzzle of the 13 original Colonies. It’s then off to meet Paul Revere in his silversmith shop.

Each scene is rich in narrated information, characters that describe the events and the Loyalist’s and the Patriot’s points of view, interactive animations, and period music. Built-in clues guide players, though they sometimes take a while to appear. Viewers can travel through the app in a linear or nonlinear fashion, as well as activate the sophisticated notebook and camera and map and satellite functions that are part of Ansel’s information-gathering tools.

Depth and quality content characterize this production. Children will learn about some people and places that usually only get a passing mention in most history textbooks. Built-in quizzes review the information provided and reinforce the sequence of events. All and all, an entertaining introduction to American history.

In Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa (Cognitive Kid, Inc.  S4.99; Gr 1-5) the aliens are back on Earth to take photos and notes. Along with their guides, travel enthusiasts can explore three distinct areas of the continent: The Sahara Desert, the Nile Valley, and the Serengeti Plains. Unfortunately, on this trip to Earth, Ansel and Clair’s space vehicle, Marley, has lost parts. In order for the pair to travel home they will need the help of viewers to locate the missing items scattered across the continent. The opening screen offers a brief tutorial and an opportunity for viewers to create up to four separate players (and archive the play).

Each realistically drawn locale offers narrated information about the flora and fauna and sites, interactive scenarios, animations, quests, puzzles, and leveled games complete with original music and sound effects. Twenty-nine photographs can be collected and placed in Ansel’s journal. The dialogue, along with arrows and an information screen help guide viewers, who can choose their own level of interaction based on icons such as a light bulb that activates “ClairVision” for more detailed information, or a puzzle piece to trigger a game that takes full advantage of the iPad’s retina display.

In keeping with the series proven strengths, this adventure informs and encourages questioning and synthesis on multiple levels while remaining entertaining and engaging. Younger elementary students can enjoy it with some assistance, while older elementary students will be able to navigate it independently.—Elisabeth LeBris, Director Library Tech Services, SD 38, Kenilworth,IL

Created in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY, NY) exhibit of the same name, Faking It: Manipulated Photography before Photoshop  (Metropolitan Museum of Art; Gr 8 Up) is a free iPad app. Noting that “photographs have been manipulated since the invention of the medium,” the curator introduces viewers to photo “doctoring” from negative retouching to photomontage, with a bit of art history along the way.

The easy-to-navigate app is divided into three parts. A short introductory video with a lively instrumental soundtrack poses questions to viewers as it spotlights images they’ll examine closely later on. Next comes a quiz (hints included), challenging users to consider which photos have been manipulated, and how or why they were changed. If stumped, viewers have the option of zooming in for a closer look.

The doctored “Sherman and His Generals, 1865″ by George N. Barnard

The gallery of 16 before-and-after photos with explanatory information and citations is the centerpiece of the app. The text is well written and the black-and-white pictures cover a range of subjects from portraits to landscapes. In the first of the two photos of Sherman and His Generals, 1865, General Francis Preston Blair, Jr. isn’t present, but there he is, seated to the right in the second.

Blair missed the photo session scheduled at Matthew Brady’s Washington, D.C., studio. The well-known Civil War photographer is quoted as saying, “Later in the day, however, he [Blair] came in, was photographed and I set his portrait in on the group negative.” The photo was later retouched by another photographer, who added background curtains and other details. Also included in the gallery is The Other Series (After Brassaï), 1993, by Kathy Grove, a contemporary artist who takes images by male modernist artists and changes them, often by removing the female figure, a commentary on the fact that “women were largely absent from the canon of Western art history.”

Faking It would be particularly appropriate for history, photography, and art classes. It would be a natural tie-in to using an app such as Adobe Photoshop Express, before students try their hand at editing images. A lavish companion book to the exhibit by Mia Fineman is also available.

Map from “Life and Death: Pompeii and Herculaneum” (The British Museum)

Life and Death: Pompeii and Herculaneum (The British Museum; Gr 9 Up) is a companion piece to the British Museum’s exhibit by the same name, on view in London from March 28th-September 29th, 2013. The app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, splendidly incorporates sound effects, animation, video, and interactivity.

A short, but dramatic, film sequence on the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, narrated by Paul Roberts, the exhibition curator, opens the production and leads to a map that serves as a table of contents. Pins mark Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other sites on the Bay of Naples. Tapping on one of these locations will bring viewers to a street map of the chosen area and a list, including such topics as “Urban context,” “Commerce,” “Wealth and status,” “Entertaining,” and “Religion and beliefs.” Each list leads to narrated images; video commentary by Roberts and other scholars; photographs; and informative text. Listeners will hear Pliny the Younger’s eyewitness recollections of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79 (narrated by Royce Cronin), learn that a significant number of Herculaneum’s residents were prosperous freedman, and view more than 250 colorful photos of artwork and artifacts.

The images are clear and sharp. The ability to zoom in on the pictures is a valuable feature, as it allows for close-up views of jewelry, frescoes, mosaics, graffiti, carbonized furniture, marble statues, and more. Also provided is a further reading list with some live links. Be aware that Life and Death is a large app and takes time to load.

This is a rich and rewarding production for students of history and art, and anyone interested in archeology. For teachers looking for multimodal resources to support the Common Core State Standards, this app fits the bill.—Daniel Greene U32 Middle/High School, Montpelier, VT

Over in the Jungle (Dawn Publications, $4.99; PreS-K), sung to the tune of the classic children’s counting song, is sure to become a favorite of the preschool crowd. In addition to the rainforest setting, this version features outstanding design, vibrant art by Jeanette Canyon, realistic sound effects, supplemental nonfiction text, and a challenging game.

Each page of the rhyming text introduces a jungle animal and a number of offspring from one to ten. Ocelots, honey bears, howler monkeys, leaf cutter ants, and other rainforest animals make an appearance, offering children an opportunity to learn about creatures they may not have encountered before. Taps, swipes, and jiggles to the screen trigger movements and/or additional sound effects.

Users can choose to read the story themselves, have it read to them, or listen to it sung. As the words are voiced, the text is highlighted. Those choosing to listen to the song will be treated to the catchy tune that retains the narration’s expressiveness. A touch to the arrow that appears on every page will allow children to hear the text (or song) repeated. At the end of the story, viewers are invited to find the 55 offspring depicted in the story populating one final, colorful jungle scene. An icon in the shape of a leaf brings users to a menu page from which they can access animal facts and photos; author, illustrator, and publisher information; and other apps by the developer.

Over in the Jungle is a feast for the senses. From the authentic background sounds to the deftly crafted polymer clay animals, each page is a delight. This app is perfect for sharing one-on-one or in a storyhour.—Cindy Wall, Southington Library, Southington, CT

Interior image from ‘Dream Songs Night Songs from Belgium to Brazil’ (The Secret Mountain) illus. by Sylvie Bourbonnière

There are three titles in the “Lullabies from Around the World, Read-Along, Sing-Along Collection,” but it is difficult to consent that any singular title is complete as an iBook. Each enhanced production—Dream Songs Night Songs from Belgium to Brazil, Dream Songs Night Songs from China to Senegal, Dream Songs Night Songs from Mali to Louisiana (The Secret Mountain/Association of Canadian Publishers, iBooks, $7.99 ea.; PreS-K)—offers a flavor of dreamy music and some strong illustrations, but the stories by Patrick Lacoursière lack any cohesive structure and there are almost no interactive features.

When open, each book has two options: read aloud and turn pages. Automatic page turning with the read-aloud mode is probably the best choice, otherwise viewers may think their device is broken. Each page offers one music clip, which ends abruptly. The clips carry no continuity between pages, and listeners are likely to be disappointed by the truncated tunes. The stories are weak, although the China to Senegal is the strongest of the three. Each page turn has one line of text, which possibly can be viewed as a dream-like phrase, but doesn’t work as storytelling.

For example, four consecutive pages in the Belgium to Brazil read: “Follow in the footsteps of an old woman,/Towards a young musician and his talking accordion,/Under a sky drawn by your friends, the stars,/Where your parents’ parents have already traveled.” Viewers never see the young musician again, and as soon as the accordion is heard, the music fades away. The page turns, and a new piece of music begins.

The books offer some appeal: the illustrations by Sylvie Bourbonnière are warm and rich, and there are two full songs (with lyrics) at the end of each book. An iTunes link allows listeners to purchase all the songs, which is probably the best investment for those interested in multicultural music.—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY

Opening image from ‘Mission’ (UMG Recordings, Inc./Somethin’ Else)

Conceived by Grammy-winning opera singer, Cecilia Bartoli, Mission: An Investigatore Steffani Mystery (UMG Recordings, Inc./Somethin’ Else, $2.99, Gr 8 Up), is an iPad app that showcases the compositions of the obscure Italian Baroque composer Agostino Steffani. In addition to his musical talents, Steffani was a Catholic priest, diplomat, and spy. The app, a companion to Bartoli’s 2012 album of the same name, features a test of Steffani’s investigative and diplomatic skills, as the only one who can prevent an assassination and help a princess escape an undesirable marriage. While the app was not necessarily designed for a teen audience in mind, it may attract teens who enjoy mysteries or historical fiction—readers who enjoyed Grave Mercy (Houghton Mifflin, 2012) by Robin LaFevers, for example.

Mission is visually stunning, with beautifully rendered backgrounds and a cast of richly designed characters, including images of Bartoli herself costumed as Steffani. Playing the role of Steffani, users can explore various locations throughout the palace, interview its inhabitants, and gather clues to solve this true-life historical mystery. Dialogue is presented only in text, although voice-over would have been a nice touch. The soundtrack of Steffani’s compositions adds depth to the overall experience, and users are invited to learn more about the music at any point during the story. Additionally, an interactive timeline of Steffani’s biography and a detailed account of the composer’s life and times shed more light on the app’s main storyline.

The app features a pleasing mix of extended role playing and short puzzles. Seasoned gamers may wish for a longer gameplay experience, but others will appreciate that the mystery and puzzles are challenging, yet not impossible to solve.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Interior image from ‘Sherlock Holmes for the iPad’ (GUTENBERGZ, Inc.)

Sherlock Holmes for the iPad (GUTENBERGZ Inc, $3.99; Gr 5 Up) includes five abridged Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories ornamented with lovely, haunting illustrations, a musical soundtrack, and minimal interactivity. Here “The Five Orange Pips,” “The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet,” “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,” “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” and “The Red-Headed League” range in length from 18 to 21 pages. The appropriately eerie artwork by Denis Lekhno is reminiscent of oil-on-canvas and features rich jewel tones.

While the visuals generally enhance the appreciation of the text (for example, when scenes are acted out), certain images, such as the same bottle of liquid or magnifying glass appearing on page after page, won’t add much to readers’ experience of the stories. The mode of interactivity isn’t always clear, either: some elements are meant to be dragged, some tapped, some tilted, but clues aren’t provided. This may frustrate users, especially in “Coronet,” which begins with a blank page that must be activated to reveal the text. Additionally, the abridgment often leads to choppy storytelling  and quick conclusions. Inconsistent text styling (dialogue enclosed in quotation marks, or preceded by long dashes) may confound younger readers. A flawed presentation, with appealing illustrations.—Gretchen Kolderup, New York Public Library, NY

Antarctica. Linda Scher. Art Direction & Design by Joe Zeff Design. Kids Discover. 2013. iOS, requires 4.3 or later. Version 1.1. $2.99.
Gr 2-5–Kids learning about the continents are sure to appreciate this new production from Kids Discover. Jam packed with facts, figures, and stunning images (archival and contemporary), it’s both visually arresting and informative.

Separate sections delve into Antarctica’s geography, climate, and “cold critters,” expeditions to the frozen land (current and historical), and its importance to research scientists. There’s even an interview with a support staff member on her first trip to the McMurdo Station. Maps, quizzes, animations, and short video clips make it a valuable resource for a range of learners.

The app is user-friendly and navigation is easy from the visual table of contents to the discretely placed tabs and arrows. Images are crisp and bright. A five-question quiz culminates the story line. Children who choose incorrect answers are encouraged to try again and are rewarded with applause when they respond correctly.

One of the interactive highlights is the penguin egg that users can hatch by tapping the screen. Other in-app activities include a penguin word scramble and a cartoon figure to dress for the frigid environment (layers being key). A suggested extension activity involves making a glacier (with snow or shaved ice) in three quick steps. A short resource list of Web and print resources are appended.

All in all, an app that is sure to please parents and educators as well as youngsters.–Morgan Doane, Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids, MI

Rounds: Parker Penguin. Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter. Nosy Crow Ltd. 2012. iOS, requires 3.1.3 or later. Version 1.0.1. $4.99.
PreS-Gr 2–In this engaging app, a gregarious emperor penguin cheerily relates salient facts about his species and Antarctica. Readers first encounter Parker as a fledgling standing expectantly against the frigid backdrop of the South Pole, with snowflakes falling gently around him. Soft, lullaby-like music by award-winning composer Robin Beanland plays in the background and complements the crisp, wintery illustrations.

Viewers track the bird through various stages of his development as he glides and swims in his icy habitat, hunts food, avoids predators, meets his mate, Penelope, and helps hatch their chick, Percy. Per the “Rounds” series title, the life cycle story begins again with Percy, followed by his son, Peter.

The jocund narration is charmingly voiced by British child actors. In the “Read and Play” mode, words are highlighted as they are spoken; with the independent reading option, children can manage the length of time the text appears. In both modes, users tap pale blue dots that appear on the penguins and their surroundings to glean additional information about the animal’s habits and habitat.

Sweeping fingers across the screen will cause snowflakes to swirl; tilting the device propels Parker across the ice and into the water with a splash. Animation standouts include the lively penguin mating dance, and Parker’s age progression cleverly juxtaposed against the rising and setting of the sun. The app displays excellent sound design with realistic penguin vocalizations interspersed throughout the story.

Parker Penguin’s seamless presentation of nonfiction content in a captivating manner makes it an essential purchase for burgeoning digital collections.–Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, Escondido, CA

Trucks. Byron Barton. illus. by author. Oceanhouse Media, Inc. 2012. iOS, requires 3.2 or later. Version 1.09. $1.99.
PreS-K–Dump trucks, delivery trucks, bucket trucks, and cement mixers—all sorts of oversize vehicles doing their jobs—rumble by cities and towns and through tunnels and over bridges in this app based on the book of the same title (Crowell, 1986). The vibrant colors and bold images outlined in black that generations of Barton’s fans have enthusiastically responded to are also here. In the app, kids can slide some of the trucks about and hear a range of background sounds from horns beeping to workers’ conversations.

Users tap different items on the screen to trigger labels to appear, such as “tree” or “road”—a useful feature for emergent readers. With the sound option switched “on,” the story is also narrated and words are highlighted as they are read. Large, directional arrows turn the pages and a home button on each screen will return viewers to the main menu. This app is sure to be a hit with the young truck-loving set.–Kari Allen, National Writing Project in New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH

Hand-painted watercolor illustrations pair perfectly with the sound of the classic children’s tune in Cat Doorman’s Little Red Wagon (Night & Day Studios, Inc.; $2.99; PreS-K), a single from Cat Doorman’s Songbook, available for the iPad. The app opens instructing users to choose musical accompaniment—a guitar, a piano, or a “full band” of sounds. Once a choice is made, a young girl dressed in a bright orange dress starts on a walk through the countryside pulling the eponymous wagon.

As the child strolls along, sheet music scrolls across the bottom of the screen, and viewers can tap on images of woodland animals, trees, the sun, and other natural elements to trigger slight animations and a few sound effects. The first stop is a bakery where cakes and breads are loaded onto the wagon until the child cheerfully croons, “that’s enough,” and continues on her journey. After visits to the dairy to collect cheese and milk, the garden for an assortment of colorful vegetables, and an orchard for apples, the little girl is joined by her animal friends and together they set off to find a picnic spot.

Children (and adults) are likely to consider the next scene a misstep; instead of eating all the food, the picnic-goers are seen tossing it into the air. Despite that curious scene, children will want to return to the app for its pleasing music, easy navigation, and interactivity.—Cindy Wall, Southington Public Library & Museum, Southington, CT

Do your students and know the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine? In Fire Station (JumpSeeWow, $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) Clover the Rabbit takes kids through a cheery animated town where 10 documentary videos on the firehouse and firefighters’ equipment are embedded. Intuitive picture cues are tapped to launch the short films, which range in length from one to five minutes.

The narrated video clips include tours of the two aforementioned vehicles and the station. They star actual firefighters who describe their daily tasks, point out and name the different parts and functions of their vehicles, and demonstrate how they operate. (Two of the videos are available for preview at the JumpSeeWow site.) Children can easily navigate the app independently, swiping across screens to move through scenes. A few of the images around town are also interactive, but there are no cues to find the interactions. One video is of the baguette making at the bakery, which may not interest children invested in the firefighter theme.

The app would work well in a preschool or early elementary setting as part of a unit on community workers, and is sure to appeal to those children who can’t get enough information on the subject of firefighters. Firefighter Dress-Up (Jump See Wow, $.99; PreS) is a related app with the same cartoon characters available to color and dress. There’s no text and the interface is clumsy. The clothing doesn’t snap into place easily and users must exit the app to clear the picture. Stick with Fire Station; young enthusiasts will find much to revisit in that production.—Shelley Harris, Oak Park Public Library, IL

Interior image from ‘Recycling Truck’ (GoodGlue)

GoodGlue is a developer that’s created a number of apps around transport vehicles including Recycling Truck; Garbage Truck! Phoenix, AZ; Dump Truck!; and Railroad Boom Truck (all $.99; PreS-K), among others. On the surface these are games, but children are bound to learn a bit about the different functions of these machines while operating the apps. For example, in Recycling, the truck travels through a neighborhood stopping at trash cans; with a tap to the screen an automatic arm lifts the container and dumps its content into the truck, where the refuse is compacted. On goes the vehicle until viewers decide to head to the Recycling Sorting Center.

At the center, viewers are instructed on how to get the recyclables out of the truck and onto a shoot (“Touch the orange handle…”), and rewarded with praise when the job is completed. Next, children can sort the trash into colorful labeled bins (paper, plastic, glass, and metal) as it passes along a conveyor belt. When that’s done, it’s back to the street to collect more recycling. In Dump Truck! viewers help load the vehicle with gravel, stones, or dirt using a backhoe or another piece of equipment, and deliver it to construction sites. After visiting a few of these locations, the loop around town begins again. In both apps, sound effects add to the fun. Consider these for heavy-equipment aficionados. Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Dump trucks, delivery trucks, bucket trucks, and cement mixers—all sorts of oversize vehicles doing their jobs—rumble by cities and towns and through tunnels and over bridges in Byron Barton’s Trucks (Oceanhouse Media, Inc. $1.99; PreS-K), based on the book of the same title (Crowell, 1986). The vibrant colors and bold images outlined in black that generations of Barton’s fans have enthusiastically responded to will also be appreciated in the app.

In the digital version, kids can slide some of the trucks about and hear a range of background sounds from horns beeping to workers’ conversations. Users can tap different items on the screen to have labels appear, such as “tree” or “road”—a useful feature for emergent readers. With the sound option “on” the story is also narrated and words highlighted as they are read. Large, directional arrows turn the pages and there is a home button on each page to return to the main menu. A surefire hit with the young truck-loving set.—Kari Allen, National Writing Project in New Hampshire,  Plymouth State University

“There is a lot more trash out there than I expected.” This was the observation of a marine pollution researcher after his first flights over the Eastern Garbage Patch, an area of the Pacific Ocean where currents converge to create a floating landfill the size of Alaska. The vivid images, clear descriptions, videos, and animated diagrams in the iBook edition of Loree Griffin Burns’sTracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion ($9.99; Gr 4-9) will no doubt bring readers to the same realization. The title, one in the “Scientists in the Field” series (HMH, 2007) follows the efforts of Curt Ebbesmeyer and other scientists whose work studying ocean currents included tracking the routes of “roughly 80,000 sneakers” and 28,800 plastic tub toys adrift in the Pacific Ocean after two (separate) cargo spills, and referred to as “the largest and (cheapest) ocean drift experiment ever undertaken.”

The ebook has been enhanced with age-appropriate video content—one or two short multimedia components per chapter, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) animation of ocean currents that is both soothing and dizzying at the same time. The news is not all bad, though—readers also learn about scientists and conservationists who use techniques as basic as beachcombing and as advanced as satellite tracking to identify and clean up our oceans.

Tracking Trash inspires further research and individual commitment to the environment, and with links to relevant websites and ongoing projects accessible from the tablet, the creators of the app have made it easy for students pursue their interests. Bonus: unlike the print version, the ebook edition isn’t made out of a tree and won’t end up in a landfill.—Paula Willey, Pink Me 

BBC Earth Wonders (BBC Worldwide LTD, $3.99; Gr 2 Up) for iOS offers a collection of images and videos showcasing the fierce and fascinating beauty of our natural world, including rare animals, plants, and natural phenomena. As such, it supports science research, though the brevity of the text may make it a supplemental resource, unless, of course, it’s visuals your students are seeking. The app’s real stand-outs are the hundreds of high-quality images and numerous videos that bring information to life in a way that text cannot. These can be accessed alphabetically, or by theme, or by tapping a globe.

Providing glimpses into the incredible and often dangerous facets of nature, the videos are sometimes grisly; sensitive viewers may be disturbed by a pack of lions hunting and devouring an elephant. Then again, what child can resist seeing a Venus fly trap capture its prey? Other videos are sheer awe and beauty, such as the time-lapse scenes of the aurora borealis. Users may be put off by the somewhat clumsy interface and the prominent link to purchase the BBC’s Planet Earth television series after each video, but kids will love navigating via the spinning globe. Overall, a welcome resource for those with a keen eye for nature.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

The following are excerpts from apps reviewed earlier in this column—all essential purchases. For the full reviews, follow the title links.

Screen shot from Our Choice (Push Pop Press), Gore.

In Our Choice (Rodale, 2009), Al Gore placed the response to global warming squarely in the world’s collective hands, as he detailed the wide-ranging crisis and identified possible solutions. With the publication Our Choice in app format (Push Pop Press; $4.99; Gr 9 Up; trailer) Gore’s message is delivered via a not-to-be-missed, multimedia, e-reading experience.

An earnest video introduction by the author is followed by a cleverly composed tutorial, also narrated by Gore, on how to manipulate the app and its contents. As in the print edition, topics include solar and wind power, geothermal energy, biofuels, carbon capture, nuclear power, population growth, politics, and more. The text has been edited for conciseness, and information has been updated; for example, the recent nuclear meltdown in Japan is addressed.

Spectacular pop-out, captioned photos in full color, including some with additional voice narration; compelling video clips, both current and archival; and interactive “infographics,” all unquestionably high in wow appeal, are included. While best suited for the high school audience, teachers may want to select some of this impressive content to share with their middle school students.—Alicia Eames, formerly with NYC Public Schools

Fascinating before-and-after images of a range of environmental phenomena are presented in Fragile Earth (HarperCollins/Aimer Media; $2.99; Gr 6 Up), a photo gallery detailing “Man’s Impact” on the environment, “Deserts and Droughts,” “Warming World,” “Water Power,” “Wild Weather,” and “Natural Phenomena.” Users can filter results by date, region of the world, or theme. The paired images are superimposed over each other so it appears viewers are looking at time-lapse photography; by sliding the photos right or left, they can choose to view them side-by-side, or one at a time, full screen. Pinching and stretching provides detailed close-up views. Textual information, which is accessed via an information screen, partially obscures the related image.

Some of the before-and-after photos span short time periods; pictures taken of the same street before and during a dust storm in Kansas in 1935 are separated by 15 minutes, while others allow viewers to see changes such as those visible in the satellite photos of Amazon deforestation over a nine-year period. The aftereffects of tsunamis and earthquakes and other natural events make clear how powerful—and devastating—those forces can be.

This is a great visual resource for students or teachers working on environmental projects or lessons, and one that will work well for the flipped classroom.—Sydnye Cohen, Brookfield High School, Brookfield, CT

Eds. note: Since our review of Fragile Earth was published, the app has been updated with 12 new sets of images including those of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy; urban expansion, Tehran, Iran; melting ice in Hudson Bay, Canada; and the impact of the 2011 earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand.

Acknowledging that the world’s population reached seven billion during 2011, National Geographic Magazine launched a year-long editorial series focusing on population. The app, 7 Billion: How Your World Will Change ($4.99; Gr 7 Up), is a companion to that series and it’s stunning collection of photographs, eye-opening charts, and insightful articles and videos paints a broad picture of the impact of population growth on the planet. Including essays tackling such topics as the acidic effect of pollution on ocean creatures and sea levels, the desperate need to preserve heirloom seeds to feed growing populations, and the work of strong-willed women who are changing the face of family planning in developed countries, this app is all that readers have come to expect from National Geographic, and more.

An introductory video highlights the realities of 7 billion people on the planet. Interactive statistical maps include “The Shape of Seven Billion,” which presents growth and consumption by country in relation to the impact on resources. “Where and how we live” relates issues of life expectancy, sanitation, education, fertility, technology use, and carbon emissions to income levels, while “The Infant Formula” illustrates that as prosperity grows, birth rates decline. Numerous other colorful and informative graphics are also offered.

This thought-provoking title will have wide value and use in an educational setting, specifically for secondary students in statistics, civics, and environmental science courses. Students studying social justice issues and population growth will also benefit from the information in this rich resource.—Danielle Farinacci, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, CA

In Barry and Emma Tranter’s engaging Rounds: Parker Penguin (Nosy Crow, $4.99; PreS-Gr 2), a gregarious emperor penguin cheerily relates salient facts about his species and Antarctica. Readers first encounter Parker as a young fledgling standing expectantly against the frigid backdrop of the South Pole, with snowflakes falling gently around him. Soft, lullaby-like music by award-winning composer Robin Beanland plays in the background and complements the crisp, wintery illustrations.

Viewers track the bird through various stages of his development as he glides and swims in his icy habitat, hunts food, avoids predators, meets his mate, Penelope, and helps hatch their chick, Percy. Per the “Rounds” series title, the life cycle story begins again with Percy, followed by his son, Peter.

The jocund narration is charmingly voiced by British child actors. In the “Read and Play” mode, words are highlighted as they are spoken; with the independent reading option, children can manage the length of time the text appears. In both modes, users tap light blue dots that appear on the penguins and their surroundings to glean additional information about the animal’s habits and habitat.

Sweeping fingers across the screen will cause snowflakes to swirl; tilting the device propels Parker across the ice and into the water with a splash. Animation standouts include the lively penguin mating dance, and Parker’s age progression cleverly juxtaposed against the rising and setting of the sun.  The app has excellent sound design with realistic penguin vocalizations interspersed throughout the story.

Parker Penguin’s seamless presentation of nonfiction content in a captivating and informative manner makes it an essential purchase for burgeoning digital collections. A trailer is available.—Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, Escondido, CA

Children learning about the continents are sure to appreciate Linda Scher’s Antarctica ($2.99; Gr 2-5) by Kids Discover. Jam packed with facts, figures, and stunning images (archival and contemporary), it’s both visually arresting and informative. Separate sections delve into Antarctica’s geography, climate, and “cold critters,” expeditions to the frozen land (current and historical), and its importance to research scientists. There’s even an interview with a support staff member on her first trip to the McMurdo Station. The app’s maps, quizzes, animations, and short video clips make it a valuable resource for a range of learners.

The app is user-friendly and navigation is easy—from the visual table of contents to the discretely placed tabs and arrows. One of the interactive highlights is the penguin egg that users can hatch by tapping the screen. Images are crisp and bright. A  five-question quiz culminates the storyline. Children who choose incorrect answers are encouraged to try again and rewarded with applause when they respond correctly.

Other in-app activities include a penguin word scramble and a cartoon figure to dress for the frigid environment (layers being key). A suggested extension activity involves making a glacier (with snow or shaved ice) in three quick steps. A short resource list of Web and print resources are appended. All in all, an app that is sure to please parents and educators as well as youngsters.—Morgan Doane, Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids, MI

Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe.

Gr 9 Up –Based on two popular BBC science series hosted by physicist Brian Cox, this app immerses viewers in the science behind our solar system and the universe. It contains content from both television series with video clips, animated images, and infographics, alongside an incredibly rich and deep text.

Opening instructions guide users on how to navigate the app’s text and image gallery. The content is organized under the two broad areas (space and the universe), and both of these sections contains a number of subheadings or chapters. Chapters begin with a video clip introduction by Cox. Discussions start small–for example, sub-atomic and atomic particles expands to conversations about galaxies and the universe. A search box linked to a detailed index will help viewers locate specific information.

Cox is a great guide and the two-and-a-half hours of film clips of him discussing a variety of topics bring viewers to new levels of understanding. For instance, in considering the more than 2000 objects that circle the Earth, the author demonstrates what this “congestion” looks like with a clip of the identified asteroids in motion, and later, onsite at the Barrington Crater in Arizona.

Also included are more than 50 high-resolution 3D images that illuminate phenomena such as black holes and nebulae. These, along with authors’ renderings, can be saved, tweeted, emailed, or posted to Facebook.

To describe the content as multi-layered hardly does justice to this production. It’s a course in itself, taught by an engaging instructor, who while imparting his vast knowledge instills his students with awe and wonder appropriate to these otherworldly topics and scenes.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Kids Discover Galaxies. 2013. Version 1.1. Free.
Kids Discover Space. 2012. Version 2.0. $3.99.
ea: Kids Discover. iOS, requires 4.3 or later.

Gr 5-8 –Kids Discover has produced a number of apps based on their magazine series. Two of the recent offerings include the exemplary Galaxies and Space. The first focuses on the Milky Way and beyond, whilethe secondcovers our solar system.

In both productions, the writing is clear and engaging and the apps do an excellent job of presenting information via text and interactive features. In addition to navigation guides and visual indices, and a combination of pop-up text and/or captions, notes on important figures, Q & A’s, and definitions, these productions include a range of easily accessed elements such as film clips, animations, narrated segments, and background sounds that beautifully illustrate and enhance the accompanying text. For example, the more interactive Galaxies includes a projection of the Milky Way that allows viewers to zero in on Earth’s location and view it from a variety of angles.

Along with some spectacular photography, the apps contain reproductions, artists’ renderings, and colorful cartoon drawings. The activities included at the end of the texts–a jigsaw puzzle, a connect-the-stars drawing feature, etc.–are more appropriate for a younger audience, but these represent only a small portion of the otherwise stellar content. Overall, these are visually stunning, informative introductions to their subjects.—Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

You Are Stardust. Elin Kelsey. illus. by Soyeon Kim. Think Thirty-Three/Owlkids Books. 2012. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Version 1.2. $4.99.

PreS-Gr 3–How often do we take the time to stop and observe the world around us with the children in our lives? You Are Stardust, based on the picture book of the same title, encourages us do just that. Written by environmentalist Elin Kelsey, the text is rooted in science, yet surprisingly poetic.

A comforting female voice narrates the text, accompanied by melodic tones, chimes, and sounds from nature. The book provides a springboard from which to see the interconnectedness of things, to imagine, and to ask questions. It reminds readers to “Be still. Listen,” and suggests that, “We are all connected. We are all nature. We are all stardust.”

Soyeon Kim’s diorama artwork was created using linen fabric; Japanese paper; dried flowers; and color-washed, 2D line drawings suspended inside wooden boxes. It’s extraordinary. The whimsy and 3D feeling of the original art successfully transfers to the digital version and subtle animations of wings flapping, falling stardust, and floating whales further help to enliven the text.

The app opens with two viewing and listening options and opportunity for children to make their own diorama. “More about Stardust” can be accessed to discover how Kim created her art, to read a note from the author, and more.

If it’s been a while since you’ve marveled with your kids about how the electricity in our brains is similar to lightning or the way baby birds learn to sing, You Are Stardust is a great place to start.—Kathleen S. Wilson, NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY

In Dean Morrissey’s Ship of Dreams (readImagine, Inc., $4.99; PreS-Gr 4) readers take off on a fantastical nighttime adventure with a young boy named Joey as he accompanies the legendary Sandman on his rounds in this bedtime story. Based on the book of the same title (Abrams,1994), the app features the same oil paintings that illustrate the award-winning book. However, here the art is brightened for tablet screens and animated.

Some of the interactive animations are fairly subtle, such as the crescent moon that can be pulled across the sky; others are more elaborate, such as the ship that glides off into the distance trailing twinkling stars. Navigation is always easy and intuitive, with clear visual cues indicating the spots that children must tap to trigger movements, to engage in a particular activity, or to advance the plot. There are also a few embedded games within the story, including one that challenges readers to count the squirrels that the cheeky author has hidden throughout his illustrations.

Users can navigate between the “Read to Me” and “Read it Myself” modes, and enable background music that enhances the story’s magical feel. As an aid to vocabulary building, some of the more difficult words are highlighted, inviting readers to touch for definitions and pronunciations. Taking further advantage of the interactive platform, users can select one of three reading levels: second-, third-, or fourth-grade. The language of the story and sentence structure are adjusted accordingly.

By tailoring the content to appeal to children of different ages and abilities, this production allows a broad audience to share in Joey’s wondrous journey, while enjoying Morrissey’s imaginative storytelling and striking artwork along the way.—Sharon Breslow, Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport, CT

Screen shot from ‘You Are Stardust’ (Kelsey) Think Thirty-Three. illus. by Soyeon Kim

How often do we take the time to stop and observe the world around us with the children in our lives? You Are Stardust (Think Thirty-Three/Owlkids Books, $4.99; PreS-Gr 3) based on the picture book of the same title (Owlkids Books, 2012), encourages us to do just that. Written by environmentalist Elin Kelsey, the text is rooted in science, yet surprisingly poetic.

A comforting female voice narrates the text, accompanied by melodic tones, chimes, and sounds from nature. The book provides a springboard from which to see the interconnectedness of things, to imagine, and to ask questions. It reminds readers to “Be still. Listen,” and suggests that, “We are all connected. We are all nature. We are all stardust.”

Soyeon Kim’s diorama artwork was created using linen fabric; Japanese paper; dried flowers; and color-washed, 2D line drawings suspended inside wooden boxes. It’s extraordinary. The whimsy and 3D feeling of the original dioramas successfully transfers to the digital version and the subtle animations of wings flapping, falling stardust, and floating whales further help to enliven the text.

The app opens with three options: “Read me the story” (narrated text; automatic page-turns); “I’ll read the story” (no narration; swipe for page-turns); and “Make your own diorama” (users can build their own artwork from a selection of scene elements). “More about Stardust” can be accessed to discover how Kim created her dioramas, to read a note from the author, to see credits and navigational information, and more.

If it’s been a while since you’ve marveled with your kids about how the electricity in our brains is similar to lightning, or the way baby birds learn to sing, You Are Stardust is a great place to start.–Kathleen S. Wilson, NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY

Eds. note: A trailer for You Are Stardust is available for viewing.

Imagine a box containing eight pieces of chalk, each one itching to tell a story. Don Freeman did just that more than 35 years ago in a darling book in which each colorful stick brings a scene to life. Unavailable in print, The Chalk Box Story (Auryn, $3.99; PreS-2) lives on in digital format.

In this engaging and interactive edition, children can control each piece of chalk as it contributes color to the wordless story. Hotspots suggest which color to select and outlines appear on objects as the pastels get to work their magic on the sky, an island, a boy, a turtle, a stick, a ship, a flag, and a message of “Help Me.” Before or after a turtle arrives at the island, takes the little boy off to sea on its back, and returns, users can add a variety of animated creatures and objects to the picture while the sounds of waves are heard in the background.

Children can reuse the various chalks by tapping on them, and there’s even an eraser. The illustrations match Freeman’s original work; some would argue that the interactivity enhances his story. The narration can be switched on or off; when it’s on, words are highlighted as they are read. The story is brief, but children are sure to request multiple readings and opportunities to color the illustrations and add animation.–Debbie Whitbeck, Technology West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

Freeman’s Come Again, Pelican (Auryn, $3.99; Lite Version, Free; PreS-Gr 2), first published in 1961, tells of a seaside adventure shared by a pelican and a young boy on his annual family vacation. Early in the day, Ty goes fishing in view of the familiar pelican, who teaches him a few fishing techniques; the fun ends when the bird flies off and one of the boy’s red wading boots is washed away by the receding tide. Using his newly learned fishing skills, Ty snags the second boot before it goes out to sea.

At the end of the day, the child reunites with his winged friend, who presents the boy with his lost boot. In turn, Ty gives the pelican the first fish he’s caught. That evening, when relating his day’s adventures, Ty compares the motions of the tide to the comings and goings of the pelican.

Readers can record their own narration, and alter the text to allow for personalized storytelling. Navigation is simple; an icon of a camper brings readers to the main menu, and a red boot, to an index of pages. Font size is a bit on the small size for viewing and tapping. Spoken words appear when the illustrations, which are bathed in sunset colors, are touched. There’s no animation. This app is a welcome update to Don Freeman’s story, though with fewer pages. In a school setting, share Come Again, Pelican to explore themes of friendship or family traditions, as an example of a story written with a reflective ending, or pair it with informational texts about pelicans or coastal ecosystems.–Karen Jeremiah, Librarian, Mary Scroggs Elementary, Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools, NC

Kids Discover has produced a number of apps based on their magazine series. Two of their recent offerings include the exemplary Galaxies (Free) and Space ($3.99; both Gr 5-9). The first focuses on the Milky Way and beyond, while the second covers our solar system.

Both productions do an excellent job of presenting information via a clear and engaging text and interactive features. In addition to navigation guides and visual indices, and a combination of pop-up texts and/or captions, notes on important figures, Q & A’s, and definitions, the apps include a range of easily accessed elements such as film clips, animations, narrated segments, and background sounds that beautifully illustrate and enhance the text. For example, the more interactive Galaxies includes a projection of the Milky Way that allows viewers to zero in on Earth’s location and view it from a variety of angles.

Along with some spectacular photography, the apps contain reproductions, artists’ renderings, and colorful cartoon drawings. The activities included at the end of the texts—a jigsaw puzzle, a connect-the-stars drawing feature, a memory game, and a quiz—are more appropriate for a younger audience, but these represent only a small portion of the otherwise stellar content. The apps don’t respond to zoom gestures, and there isn’t a strong text-to-speech feature, so they may have limited application for students with special needs. Overall, though, these are visually stunning, informative introductions to their subjects.–Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY

Screen shot from ‘Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe’ (HarperCollins) 2013

Based on two popular BBC science series hosted by the renowned physicist, Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe  (HarperCollins/BBC $5.99; Gr 9 Up, co-authored with Andrew Cohen ) immerses viewers in an extraordinary look at the science behind our solar system and universe. It contains content from both television series with video clips, animated images, and infographics, alongside an incredibly rich and deep text.

Opening instructions guide users on how to navigate the app’s text and image gallery. The content is organized under the two broad subject areas (space and the universe), and both of these sections contains a number of subheadings or chapters. Chapters begin with a video clip introduction by Cox. Discussions start small—for example, sub-atomic and atomic particles expand to conversations on galaxies and the universe. A search box linked to a detailed index will help viewers locate specific information.

Cox is a great guide and the two-and-a-half hours of film clips of him discussing a variety of topics bring viewers to new levels of understanding. For instance, in considering the more than 2000 objects that circle the Earth (“400 of which could be on a collision course” with our planet), the author demonstrates what this “congestion” looks like with a clip of the identified asteroids in motion, and later, onsite at the Barrington Crater in Arizona where some 50,000 years ago a 300,000-ton “lump of iron and nickel entered the Earth’s atmosphere” creating a huge crater 4000 feet in diameter.

Also included are more than 50 high-resolution 3D images that illuminate phenomena such as black holes and nebulae. These images, along with artists’ renderings, can be saved, tweeted, emailed, or posted to Facebook. To describe the content of this app as multi-layered hardly does it justice. It’s a course in itself, taught by an engaging instructor, who, while imparting his vast knowledge, instills his students with the awe and wonder appropriate to these otherworldly topics and scenes. A Spanish-language version of the app is available.

With chapter tabs and images running across the bottom of the screen, viewers may be inclined to explore Wonders in a sequential fashion. There’s something about Solar Walk by Vito Technology Inc. ($2.99; Gr 7 Up), on the other hand, that makes it a browser’s joy. It may be that the app places users smack in of the solar system (to a sound track), viewing the cosmos from a vantage point that is both unreal and a bit thrilling, or it could be that feeling of soaring through space that it allows. Either way, viewers will find themselves traveling vast distances across the solar system with abandon. Solar Walk has been around for a while, and through a few updates.

For each planet there are screens of general information; figures (distance from the Sun, equatorial radius, volume, length of day and year, etc.); notes and visuals on the internal structure (layer by layer); an atlas (for the mapped planets such as Venus and Mars); a did-you-know fact; and a row of images to tap and examine close-up.

The visuals are truly exciting. Celestial bodies and spacecraft can be rotated 360 degrees and/or enlarged for a closer look. But to view the Earth and Moon spinning around the Sun as the bulge of Earth’s oceans form (causing tidal ebb and flow), or to see how and when the Sun and Moon align to create an eclipse viewed from Earth, makes these phenomena understandable in a way that static images and screens of text cannot. Some of these animated graphics are narrated, and might be used as mini-lessons in the classroom.

Beyond the nine planets (Pluto is included, but identified as a dwarf planet) there are also specific sections on and images of “Dwarf planets and asteroids” (six detailed in all); “Comets” (Hale-Bopp, Borrelly, Halley’s Comet, and Ikeya-Zhang); “Stars” (50 discussed); and “Missions” (the first 3 of the 12 listed ask viewers if they would like to purchase the information, offering several amount options, including “free”). Visuals can be viewed as 2D or 3D (glasses required), and a TV mode is also available. Settings allow music and sounds to be switched on or off. There’s also the ability to tweet, email, gift, or print text and pictures, or share them on Facebook. For a glimpse at the spectacular content and technology, download the free lite version titled Solar Walk–Saturn. If this review doesn’t convince you to purchase the app, that trailer may.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

The Adventures of Captain Underpants,
Scholastic ©2013 by Dav Pilkey.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants: The First Epic App. Dav Pilkey. Scholastic. 2013. Version 1.1. iOS, requires 5.0 or 1. $4.99.

Gr 2-6–Fans of Captain Underpants—and of rude, over-the-top humor, awesome animation, and engaging activities—are in for a field day. First is the complete Book-O-Rama, here in high resolution and full color. Viewers can read George and Harold’s original adventure 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. 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.

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 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 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.–MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY  

The Orchestra. Mark Swed. Touch Press, The Music Sales Group, and Rite Digital Ltd. 2012. Version 1.1.0, iOS requires 6.0 or later. $13.99.

Gr 3 Up–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 this app 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

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 keyboard (showing the range of the instrument); an orchestral excerpt performed by the artist, and more. 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). 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 concerning the expression, technique, and even the 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. Penned by Mark Swed (chief classical music critic of the L.A. Times), it covers the history of the orchestra, makes suggestions on how to listen to orchestral music and how to interpret a score.

The power of orchestral music is compelling; this app provides unique and rich experiences that can be appreciated by both beginners and professionals. It’s available in English and Japanese.–Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY

For Seuss apps, Oceanhouse Media is the place to go. To date they’ve produced more than 40 Seuss titles, including a few free, lite versions; a Seuss bookshelf to store the digital editions; and some games and novelty items; all available for iOS and Android devices. One of those items is the Dr. Seuss Camera – Happy Birthday to You! Edition, which allows users to create birthday cards to decorate and store or email. It’s free, so get going!

In anticipation of the b’day, we asked a couple of our reviewers to take a look at some of some of the new Oceanhouse releases and what one Seuss character calls some, “very serious nonsense.”

Celebrating it’s 75^th anniversary this year, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins ($4.99) is one of Dr. Seuss’s earliest books and unlike many of the author’s later titles, this one doesn’t rhyme. Bartholomew is a small boy living in the Kingdom of Didd. One day, when a procession brings King Derwin down the street, the monarch abruptly halts his carriage and censures the child for not removing his headwear. But every time Bartholomew removes his hat, another appears in its place and no one, including the King’s wise men, magicians, and archers can figure out how to stop the profusion of caps. Finally, the 500th and final hat arrives, bejeweled and covered in ostrich and cockatoo plumes. It’s so magnificent, that the King purchases it for 500 pieces of gold. Seuss’s original art is retained with the bright red of Bartholomew hat(s) the only dash of color on the interior pages. Parents or children can read and record their own narration, or listen to John Bell’s. A minor flaw: there’s no pause button for this rather long story. However, listeners have the option to continue the tale or begin it again once the app is turned off and restarted.—Melissa Stock,Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, CO.

In Seuss’s Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose ($4.99), multiple critters from Bingle Bugs to squirrels build increasingly complex homes in the gentle Thidwick’s antlers. With guests atop the moose’s head, his herd at first shuns him, then refuses to let him join them on their winter migration to the southern shore of Lake Winna-Bango, and finally hunters chase the over-burdened moose until they have him in their sights. The author concludes the tale with a satisfying turn: Thidwick sheds his antlers (as Moose do once a year), and without firing a shot the hunters have a rack of horns to display, complete with all the uninvited guests…stuffed “as they should be.” The art features drawings with splashes of blue and orange. Shaun Conde’s narration is pleasant and multiple touch points on each page trigger word labels that zoom forward for emergent readers. An endearing character and story.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

It starts with a small creature and a small yawn, and it spreads throughout the world until the “Who’s-Asleep-Score” is registering in the millions, then billions of snoozing bodies. Typical Seussian creatures from an Offt  (weighing in at minus one pound) and Biffer-Baum Birds to a Jedd and a few real animals (a Moose and a Goose) are snoring, sleepwalking, and dreaming in Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book ($4.99). The story ends with the suggestion that listeners, too, turn out their lights, “Good night.” The colorful art features animals of fantastical shapes and stripes. Read or listen to this tale–and all these contagious yawns—when a five-minute story won’t work the bedtime magic.

In Hunches in Bunches ($3.99), hunches pull a fidgeting, indecisive boy in a different directions. Fly a kite? Skate? Climb a tree? Take a bath? Once our character finally makes up his mind what he wants to do he’s stopped by one creature after another: the Homework Hunch, the Very Odd Hunch, the Spookish Hunch, and others, all offering suggestions or demanding that he does what they say. The solution? The boy duplicates himself until “an awful lot of me” help him make a decision—to follow a munch hunch into the kitchen. The colorful art is clear and sharp against the illuminated background. Shaun Conde’s expressive narration and slight sound effects enhance the silliness.

Standard in Oceanhouse Media apps are three options for listening and reading, words highlighted as they are read, and the ability to repeat text and to hear the labels of objects voiced. The newest releases allow listeners to record their own narration, and share it with others who own the app if they choose.

While some of Seuss’s early stories are outdated, and others seem incredibly long by today’s standards, these and many others will long live in children’s imaginations.

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Lists of discussion questions on topics ranging from “the American Dream” to “Fate” are included and paired with brief video responses by students. The questions and the videos emerged from a collaboration between two schools separated by four miles, but, as one of the educators commented, “might as well be 4,000 miles apart—there’s not much interaction” between these kids. Kalafat and Nelson also describe other aspects of the project from heated wiki conversations to meetings to discuss the classic in person.

Derrick Nelson, one of educators highlighted in ‘Of Mice and Men: Deluxe Teacher’s Edition’

Why this collaboration?  At an age when students are just beginning to question “the world around them…to look beyond themselves,” Kalafat felt that studying and discussing literature with people who were “different from themselves” offered students fresh perspectives on the novel. He added that while the themes addressed weren’t especially difficult, they “fire[d]up” the participants’ imaginations and gave rise to spirited debate. In a final assignment, students discuss their dreams as young children, and today, and how and why they have changed.

The project is likely to get teachers thinking about collaborations of their own, and how to enhance discussions around this and other novels. Used in the classroom, the embedded videos can introduce other voices and opinions. There’s also a 29-minute audio interview with James Earl Jones about the roles he has assumed in productions, a conversation he had with Steinbeck about an African-American playing Lennie, and a psychology experiment he participated in while in that role. While Jones introduces an actor’s approach to the story, he struggles (and freely admits to it) with the correct terminology to use when describing a person of Lennie’s intellectual ability. Today’s students are as likely to react to the actor’s use of the word “retarded” as they are to his comments about his roles.

The embedded videos as well as the ability to search the text, mark passages, take notes, and share information via social media make this modern edition useful in the classroom. Teachers will also appreciate the step-by-step instructions for projecting the iBook’s content from their computer or iPad to a SMARTboard or screen.

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 

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.