Originator has won high praise for its series of delightful apps that focus on basic reading readiness and math skills (Endless Alphabet, Endless Numbers, etc.) Their latest release is an introduction to Spanish for children learning it as a first or second language. Sara Lissa Paulson reviews the app below.   The latest educational app developed by Originator, Endless Spanish/Infinito Español (Free, in-app add-on purchase $4.99 for full ed.; PreS-Gr 4), incorporates the same playful monsters and environment of the other titles in the "Endless" series. Here the creatures are employed to teach common Spanish words and their usage. There are two audio modes: one in which Spanish words and sentences are translated into English, and Spanish only.  

Endless Spanish (Originator)

This is how it works. When you click on a term on the home dial, a bull runs across the screen and over the word, scrambling its letters. The learner spells the word by dragging  and dropping each distinctly and playfully animated letter into its proper spot in the word (shaded outline provided). While doing so, they hear each letter sounded and named. Cheers and other celebratory sounds ensue when a word is completed. The app then sequences automatically into sentence mode (although viewers can skip the sentence by clicking the "abc" tab). The bull runs across the screen again chased by friendly looking monsters, who scramble three words. As children drag the animated words back into their proper spots in the sentence, they hear each one pronounced and see the sentence enacted, hear it read, and translated into English, if in translation mode. (For example, for "amigo/friend": "!Los monstruos están muy contentos por tener un amigo nuevo!" repeats in English: "The monsters are very happy to have a new friend!") Young learners will enjoy getting to know the characters Pinkerton, Scampi, Rocky, Francis, and Sherbert better through the animations that illustrate each sentence. However, some children may be disappointed to discover they can't enter the sentence mode exclusively. Only six words are accessible in the "free" edition, so the full edition, available in-app is recommended. The terms offered are different parts of speech including pronouns and interrogatives. The voices are multiple, expressive, and stick to Latin American Spanish (no vosotros). Lively snatches of music, colorful cartoon art, and fireworks that can be set off by tapping the screen add to the fun. A trailer is available.—Sara Lissa Paulson, Librarian PS 347 – “47” The American Sign Language & English Lower School For additional app reviews, visit our dedicated webpage.