Panel from Cat's Cradle, Book 1, The Golden Twine (Kids Can/Animanga Plus) Rioux

  Here's an app based on a graphic novel. "LITE" views of the story are available in both iOS and Android, both offering the entire ebook, but only a few pages of the animated version. Still, the animated version is the one that will give you the best idea of how this story plays on your device. Cat's Cradle, Book 1, The Golden Twine (Kids Can Plus/Animanga Plus; iOS $1.99; iOS Free Lite Version; Android $1.99; Android Free Lite Version; Gr 4-6), is the first chapter in a longer tale of Suri, an orphan traveling in a caravan, who dreams of becoming a great monster tamer. Jo Rioux’s middle grade graphic adventure (Kids Can, 2012) is well drawn and engaging, and will leave readers eager for more—despite some technical challenges. The story can be accessed in either the “Reader” (ebook) or “Panel" (animated) view; there are some drawbacks to the first. In that mode, the screen is not locked into place. If viewers touch it while reading the story, the book will slide around. While this allows children to center the comic on the device, they may find the need to do so, and the movement of the pages, a frustrating experience. Also, while trying to center the pages, a touch to the screen may turn the page prematurely.  A double tap will bring up a navigation bar, where viewers can switch to the “Panel" view.” In this mode, only one page is visible. Spirited voice acting and sound effects, similar to what one finds in anime, are available. Slight animation also occurs in this setting, adding a dimension to the action scenes. The screen automatically advances when the audio reaches the end of the page with "auto-play" on, but readers must tap an arrow to advance in the "Panel" setting. In either mode, a zoom feature is in place. The panels, which vary in size and number from screen to screen, are rich in violet and blue tones, with frequent close-up, dramatic perspectives of the characters. Animanga Plus appears to offer creators the ability to own their stories and have more control over how they are viewed—a positive development, particularly in the manga comic space. Unfortunately, the viewer experience has a way to go to catch up to other comic book apps such as those found under comiXology. However, young comic fans may not find this a barrier to enjoying Rioux's enchanting story.–- Mark Richardson, Cedar Mill Community Library, Portland, OR A trailer of Cat’s Cradle, Book 1: Golden Twine is available. For additional app reviews, visit our dedicated web page.