A classic fairy tale 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.

For additional app reviews, visit our Touch and Go webpage.

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

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