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Let’s learn geometry!  “What?” you may ask.  “But it’s summer vacation!” you may say.”  That is certainly a valid point, however, I promise you that you will not even know you are learning while you are playing Symmetry School: Let’s Learn Geometry.  Whether you are a parent, teacher or kid, this app is a perfect concoction of education and fun!

Symmetry School teaches you how to re-create patterns using either reflective or rotational symmetry.  Each type of symmetry has 3 levels: Easy, Medium and Hard.  Once you select the type of symmetry you want to practice and the level, a grid appears on the screen with one or more quadrants of the grid filled in with a pattern.  The player must use the colorful shape tiles in the left corner to create a symmetrical pattern.  Each of your successes and failures are recorded as well as the time it takes you to complete the pattern.  Once you successfully make the pattern your score appears so you can track your progress.  There is also a “Free Play” option where you are simply given a blank grid and tiles and you can create your own patterns without being timed or graded.

This app is fantastically fun and challenging.  I had my 11 year old come and play for a while and she was instantly hooked.  It is a great way to practice math skills and not feel like you are doing math at all!  While you are playing, you are exercising your “summer vacationed” brain and develop crucial spatial reasoning and problem solving skills.  My daughter and I had fun challenging each other to see which one of us could complete the puzzles the fastest.  For teachers, the app also comes with access to a Whiteboard compatible version as well as printable activities to use in the classroom.  Symmetry School is a goldmine of educational fun and a great way to keep your mind active during the summer and all-year round!

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

StickerPOP!:  The StickerPOP! app is a fun new sticker charts app for kids.  With StickerPOP!, parents can create various sticker charts that they can use to encourage their kids and build their confidence.  The sticker charts are a great way to reward good behavior as well!  Parents can add descriptive text to rewards and even add pictures from their photo library.  There are lots of different sticker designs, and each sticker features a cute animation and sound effect.  Once kids have the number of stickers that parents have set as the goal, the reward animation is launched and the reward is revealed!  Parents can create as many sticker charts as they want, there is no limit!  If you would like to start a sticker chart rewards system with your child, be sure to check out StickerPOP!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad. Requires iOS 6.0 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $0.99 ~ See StickerPOP! in the App Store

Noisy Bug Sing Along:  The Noisy Bug Sing Along is a fun sing-along app for children.  With Noisy Bug Sing Along, kids and parents can enjoy an “outdoorsy” app while they listen to bugs and try to imitate and identify them.  Field crickets go “chirp-chirp-chirp”…can you imitate them?  Some of the other bugs included are: cicadas, beetles, katydids, grasshoppers and more!  Each bug makes a unique sound.  This interactive app is based on the best-selling book of the same name, and is a wonderful introduction to the noisy, busy world of insects.  The app features extreme close-up artwork that is scientifically accurate so kids can see up close what insects really look like.  There are two reading options: “Read to Me” and “Read to Myself”.  Kids can touch the bugs or jiggle the screen to watch them move their bodies in the way that they produce sounds.  There is interesting extra information about each featured species, and all information presented is scientifically accurate.  If you would like to share a fun insects app with your child, be sure to check out Noisy Bug Sing Along!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad.  Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price:  $2.99 ~ See Noisy Bug Sing Along in the App Store

Preschool Zoo Puzzles for Toddlers and Kids:  The Preschool Zoo Puzzles for Toddlers and Kids app is a fun new puzzle app for younger children.  With Preschool Zoo Puzzles for Toddlers and Kids, children can learn the names and sounds of animals in 16 languages.  There is a cute monkey character that will guide kids through the app and teach them to count, match, spot the difference, solve jigsaw puzzles and more!  The app features 5 different games in 16 languages; games included are: 1) Jigsaw Puzzles, 2) Matching, 3) Spot the Difference, 4) Counting, and 5) Touch a Specific Animal.  There are more than 70 levels total available in the app, for various skill levels, etc.  Kids will love the animations and interactions, as well as the sound effects and cute graphics.  Some of the animals included are: dog, cat, elephant, cow, fish, sheep and so on.  If you would like to introduce your child to a fun new puzzle app that offers much more, be sure to check out Preschool Zoo Puzzles for Toddlers and Kids!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: FREE ~ See Preschool Zoo Puzzles for Toddlers and Kids in the App Store

Donuts!:  The Donuts! app is a fun designing app for kids.  With Donuts!, kids can make their very own donuts.  Kids can mix ingredients to make the dough and then cook the donuts just the way they like them, throw on some sweet toppings and then gobble it down!  This game even allows kids to challenge their friends (or parents) to make donuts just as tasty as theirs, or share their yummy creations with whoever they want.  There are different achievements to be earned, too.  If you would like to share a fun donut-making app with your kids, be sure to check out Donuts!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation), iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iPad (4th generation), iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4th generation), iPad mini and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $0.99 ~ See Donuts! in the App Store

Readmill:  The Readmill app is a unique ebook reader for iPad and iPhone that lets users read, share and discover great books.  This app has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other publications.  The Readmill app provides a clean and calm way to read, and the ability to highlight the best quotes inside a book and share them with your friends and followers to stir up conversations in the margins!  You can store your entire library in the cloud and have it available on all your various devices, and by utilizing position syncing between your iPhone and iPad – you will always be able to pick up right where you left off when reading the last time!  The Readmill app supports all major ebook formats, including: ePub, PDF and Adobe DRM.  Readers can get started with the hand-picked collection of free books.  You can also share highlights on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.  There is also an option to leave reviews and recommend books to friends and followers.  If you are an avid reader, be sure to check out Readmill!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 6.0 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: FREE ~ See Readmill in the App Store

Rumpelstiltskin:  The Rumpelstiltskin app is a great way to share a Brothers Grimm classic with your child.  With Rumpelstiltskin, kids can discover a completely new take on storytelling.  The app features vintage illustrations that come to life with modern technology and take the reader through a series of games which complement the story.  This app has incredible artwork – when you press the black and white images you bring them to life and can watch the characters turn to color and dance on the pages!  The app is fully interactive and has a great interface, with clean and easy-to-read text, as well as professional sound.  This app is recommended for children ages 3 and up, but could be enjoyed by anyone.  If you would like to share a classic Brothers Grimm fairytale with your child, be sure to check out Rumpelstiltskin!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $2.99 ~ See Rumpelstiltskin in the App Store

Geo-Me!:  The Geo-Me! app is a fun new geography app for children and has been featured as “New and Noteworthy” by the App Store!  With Geo-Me!, kids can watch animated musical stories and adorable avatars as they are introduced to basic world geography.  While kids explore the world map, they can unlock animated musical stories of children from around the world.  The app allows kids to create “Geo-Me’s” of their own with the “I’m a Geo-Me!” Builder.  Each Geo-Me will lead you to a new place on the world map.  Kids will get to know geography and demography and learn what makes life in a certain place unique from (and similar to) their own life.  There is even a section where kids can choose their favorite characters to make a version of the song “Where I Am” (the musical engine of the whole experience)!  If you would like to share a fun geography app with your kids, be sure to check out Geo-Me!  Requirements: Compatible with iPad.  Requires iOS 6.0 or later.  Price: $0.99 ~ See Geo-Me! in the App Store

Maxthon Kids Browser HD:  The Maxthon Kids Browser HD app is a safe and clean web browser for your kids.  With Maxthon Kids Browser HD, parents can have complete control of their child’s web environment.  This app allows parents to set up a safe web environment by creating a safe list of websites they want to allow their kids to access (you can use the pre-selected list of award-winning, age appropriate sites or enter your own).  Access to urls from web domains that are not on your safe list will be blocked.  In other words, advertisements, promotions and links to outside sites from a “safe site” will be blocked as well!  Parents can create and modify the safe-list through the use of a required password (so kids cannot change settings).  The interface itself is fun and kid-friendly, with big buttons and bright colors for easy navigation.  If you would like to keep your child safe when using the internet, be sure to check out Maxthon Kids Browser HD!  Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  Price: FREE ~ See Maxthon Kids Browser HD in the App Store

Barn Break:  The Barn Break app is a new immersive fast-paced 3D runner game in which the player can choose from a cast of farm animal characters.  With Barn Break, players will lead the animals that have broken out of their barn to escape from becoming the farmers breakfast!  There are 3 different animals to choose from: Napoleon the Chicken, Otis the Pig, and Dolly the Sheep.  Players will dodge obstacles, nail sharp turns, and jump over barricades while on the run.  While running, players will try to collect eggs along the way – the eggs contain special powers that are unique to each animal.  Players will also try to collect coins along the way that can be used to purchase upgrades for their unique abilities, as well as one time boosts.  This game features 3D-style graphics and multiple levels of fast-paced fun.  The gameplay is very intuitive and features simple controls, such as swiping, etc. If you would like to try out a new runner game, be sure to check out Barn Break!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: FREE ~ See Barn Break in the App Store

Smarty Spells:  The Smarty Spells app is a fun spelling app for kids.  With Smarty Spells, kids will be introduced to the world of letters, words and spelling.  This app is intended to help various ages of children improve their spelling skills.  The game presents a fun, yet challenging way to spell 200 common words that are divided into 4 themes.  There is a “Boss Level” for every theme, as well as fun awards to win along the way.  This app features two levels of difficulty: 1) Easy – first letter spelling, and 2) Hard – whole word spelling.  The app features avatars for each player, and up to 8 kids can play on the same iPhone by choosing a different avatar.  If you would like to share a fun new spelling app with your child, be sure to check out Smarty Spells!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $0.99 ~ See Smarty Spells in the App Store

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The classic tale of Beauty and the Beast comes to life in this new 3D interactive storybook.  With the Beauty and the Beast ~ 3D Interactive Pop-up Book, children can enjoy an amazing 3D version of the fairytale.  This story is perfect for younger children and provides lots of fun interaction along the way.  I enjoyed this app and my son really loves the interactions and animations!

This app tells the tale of the beautiful Belle, who ends up living with the Beast in his enchanted castle.  Will she find happiness and true love?  You should read to find out!  This app features eight different interactive 3D scenes throughout the story.  Kids can read the story three different ways: “Read to Me”, “Read it Yourself” or “Autoplay”.  The “Read to Me” mode features narration by professional actors.  Autoplay is great for smaller children, as it plays like a movie!  In addition to the story, there are puzzles and games for kids to play as well.  Some of the activities kids can do include: collecting beautiful autumn leaves and sorting them by color with Belle, finding their way through the snow-covered maze to pick a rose for Belle, and testing their ping-pong skills in a game against the Beast!  I thought that kids would love all the interactive content!

I really enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast app.  I think that this app has a great balance of education (reading) and fun.  My son really enjoyed the 3D interactive scenes.  If you have younger children, I would recommend checking out this storybook app!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

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Disclosure: I have not personally tried these apps. The descriptions come from the developers with some minor editing (and perhaps commentary) by myself. Alternative prizes may be awarded at our discretion.

Incrediball: Incrediball is an exciting new physics-based bubble popping game. The goal of the game is to pop balls, but with a unique twist. In order to pop the balls, they must be attached to a lightning ball. With lots of balls bouncing around the screen and bright colorful graphics this makes for a fun and visually exciting game. You’ve never played a game like this before. FEATURES: Innovative and highly addictive gameplay, Fast-paced physics, Colorful graphics, Easy to learn, hard to master, Marvelous music and sound effects, Fun for the whole family, Rewards by Kiip. Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5. Price: $0.99 ~ See Incrediball in the App Store

**Enter to win 1 of 5 promo codes in the Rafflecopter below!**

Magic Stickers: Magic Stickers! includes eight whimsical scenes featuring Lazoo’s internationally award-winning art; each with a selection of animated stickers that move and interact with the setting. Kids can create their own stickers and watch them “magically” come alive in the scene. A hand-scribbled orange swings and drops from a tree. A child’s sketched bird glides across the sky. Home-made bees buzz around flowers. Truly magical! Hit “Go” and watch all the stickers animate, bringing the scene to life. Place the stickers wherever you want and make as many original stickers as you want. Endless possibilities; endless hours of play. Magic Stickers! is based on Lazoo’s “Hands On! Mind On!” curriculum, developed in conjunction with top educational experts, designed to support and celebrate creativity and creative thinking. Parents can also purchase the accompanying book, Incredible Stickers!, which allows children to have the digital and physical experience.

Requirements:Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5. Price: $1.99 ~ See Magic Stickers in the App Store

**Enter to win 1 of 5 promo codes in the Rafflecopter below!**
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First of all – Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful Dads out there!  The new Just Helping My Dad – Little Critter app is a perfect download for today!  With the Just Helping My Dad – Little Critter interactive storybook, kids can read a story all about helping Dad and trying to show their appreciation for Dad.  I think that this is a a great read for today or any day!

The Just Helping My Dad app is just one of many Little Critter storybook apps that has been released by Oceanhouse Media.  If you like this app, I would definitely recommend looking through the iTunes catalog (and App Store) at all the other Little Critter apps out there.  There is a story for just about any occasion!  I have really enjoyed all of the Little Critter apps that I have seen, and I remember reading the books when I was younger.

This particular story follows Little Critter as he makes breakfast, cuts the grass, and even washes the car for his Dad (at least, he tries to do all these things!).  The app is very well done and features professional narration, background audio and enlarged (original) artwork for each scene.  This app is recommended for children ages 2 through 5 years old and is great for beginning readers.  When reading, individual words are highlighted as the story is read and words zoom up when pictures are touched – this is great for picture/word association.  There are three ways to read this storybook: 1) “Read to Me” – listen to the narrated story with words highlighted as they are read, 2) “Read it Myself” – read the book in its traditional form, and 3) “Auto Play” – plays like a movie – great for little ones!  Kids can even record their own voice tracks and share them with others that own the app!  There is also a Page Selector option for kids who may want to skip straight to their favorite part of the story (sound familiar?).  Once they have finished reading the book, little ones can play the “find-the-creature” mini-game, too.

I really enjoyed the Just Helping My Dad – Little Critter interactive storybook app.  I think that this story is a great read for little ones and their Dads (or anyone they want to share it with).  I highly recommend checking this app out if you are looking for a fun storybook app!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

Kona Ice:  The Kona Ice app is a fun new app featuring Kona the penguin who lives on a tropical island named Gooba Jooba…what’s a penguin doing in the tropics?  You’ll see.  With Kona Ice, kids will enjoy a reader app that features Kona and all his friends.  The app includes lots of interactive activities, including three separate games that you can play with the characters.  Come along on an adventure with Kona and learn while having fun.  If you would like to share a fun new interactive storybook app with your child, be sure to check out Kona Ice!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad.  Requires iOS 5.0 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: FREE ~ See Kona Ice in the App Store

Just My Friend and Me – Little Critter:  The Just My Friend and Me – Little Critter app is perfect for any fan of the Little Critter series.  With Just My Friend and Me – Little Critter, children will enjoy a story about Little Critter as he goes on an afternoon playdate climbing trees, racing cars, playing basketball, riding bikes and much more!  This app is recommended for children ages 2 through 5 years old.  The app can be read three different ways: “Read to Me”, “Read it Myself”, and “Autoplay”.  There is professional narration and custom background audio for each scene.  Children can even record their own voice and then share their voice tracks with others that own the app as well.  This app is great for picture/word association as words zoom up when pictures are touched.  Pre-readers will gain experience as individual words are highlighted when read and are read aloud when tapped.  There is a “find-the-creature” mini-game to enjoy after reading the story.  If you would like to share a Little Critter story with your child, be sure to check out Just My Friend and Me – Little Critter!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $0.99 ~ See Just My Friend and Me – Little Critter in the App Store

Music Matching with Lisa Loeb:  The Music Matching with Lisa Loeb app is a fun card matching game for children.  With this app, children will come along with Lisa Loeb as she teaches young kids about colors, musical instruments, sounds, and hand-eye coordination.  The goal is for kids to memorize and match visual instrument and character picture cards while learning the sounds that the instruments make as well.  There is music performed by Lisa Loeb and many other performers.  Some of the instruments included are: guitars (different types), xylophone, tambourines and many more!  There are three levels of play: Easy – 12 cards, Medium – 16 cards, and Hard – 20 cards.  Kids can race against the clock to solve as many matches as possible.  If you would like to share a fun musical, matching game with your child, be sure to check out Music Matching with Lisa Loeb!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad.  Requires iOS 5.1 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: FREE ~ See Music Matching with Lisa Loeb in the App Store 

Count Dracu and Friends:  The Count Dracu and Friends app is a fun storybook app for children.  With Count Dracu and Friends, kids can learn what it is like to be unique and how everybody is different.  The friendly vampire, Count Dracu, wants to know how to be different – and he and 10 of his friends will discover their differences throughout the story.  Kids will learn what it means to be from different places, to be of different shapes and what makes us all unique.  The app features fun animations and touch interactions.  Bright, colorful graphics and sound effects help to keep kids engaged.  If you would like to share a fun story about being unique with your child, be sure to check out Count Dracu and Friends!  Requirements:  Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.  Price: $0.99 ~ See Count Dracu and Friends in the App Store

Sam the Knight:  Sam the Knight is an interactive storybook for children.  With Sam the Knight, kids will read a story about Sam whose dream comes true when he becomes a knight – now he realizes he needs a faithful steed, a strong armor suit, a fair lady and valiant adventures!  It is up to you to help Sam arm himself properly and accomplish becoming a true knight!  In this storybook adventure, kids will have the opportunity to choose a steed and armor for Sam, to create his knightly arms, and to dress up his fair lady.  Kids will love all the interactions and all the input they have in the story!  If you would like to share a fun interactive storybook app with your child, be sure to check out Sam the Knight!  Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  Price: FREE ~ See Sam the Knight in the App Store

TTT (Touch The Thing):  The TTT (Touch The Thing) app is a great way to learn a new language, or learn words in English!  With TTT, children can experience an easy way to learn a new language – through touching things on the screen.  When kids touch an item on the screen, they will see and hear individual words, this way they can identify and practice pronouncing the words correctly.  Having pictures that show what each word means will help kids learn a new language more efficiently.  The TTT app is highly interactive and introduces children to 220 words in 12 different languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Swedish, Korean and Chinese).  The app even features an interactive quiz page that will allow kids to test their learning and track their progress – and, for every 5 questions they answer correctly, they can play and hang out with their favorite pet character!  If you would like to help teach your child a foreign language, be sure to check out TTT!  Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.  This app is optimized for iPhone 5.  Price: $2.99 ~ See TTT in the App Store

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Where in the world is the “Egg” in “Exactly”?  This conundrum is what drives a boy name Gregg Kregg across the world in an attempt to find an answer to his query.  After hearing multiple people mispronounce “eggs-actly”, Gregg goes to all lengths to find the Egg!  This quirky yet exquisitely illustrated children’s e-book is a fantastic and imaginative journey.

Poor Gregg is so confused by this “egg” question that he is determined to find the answer, even if his quest takes him to far off places.  He searches the whole globe, meeting ninjas, greeting dolphins on the seashore and scouring libraries.  He explores Easter Island and cracks Spanish cascarones.  He even chats it up with Humpty Dumpty!  Gregg explores the universe studying stars, the moon and even Mars.  When all of his efforts prove fruitless, he finally meets some mythical fairy creatures called Gaelles who inform him that he is totally off track.  They try in vain to convince him that there is no “egg” in “exactly” but when he won’t agree, they direct him to the Queen of all eggs – the Great Mum Henny.  Will she be able to convince Gregg of his mistake or will he finally find the egg he is searching for?

EggMania is a very unique story with unusual creatures and plenty of verbose rhyming dialogue.  The great thing about this is that any difficult or lesser-known words are underlined in the text of the story and readers can tap these words to receive a definition.  The beautiful illustrations come to life right before your eyes with color and movement.  It is truly an artistic masterpiece.  There is also a fun egg hunt game at the end that reveals interesting facts about eggs and some of the places and things Gregg encounters on his journey.  This book is professionally narrated or you can choose to read it to yourself.  You can also skip ahead to the egg hunt game at the end if you don’t want to read the book.

I really enjoyed this story and particularly the artwork in it.  I did think the dialogue got pretty long and sometimes seemed to get a little off track and nonsensical.  I think this book would be enjoyed more by older elementary school children because it is quite long and a lot of the words are more difficult.  Overall, I would say this is a pretty enjoyable story with a good message and a great way to teach kids some new vocabulary.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

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Have you ever looked at the world around you and noticed how many different shapes make up the things we see everyday?  I really hadn’t noticed, until I read Tino the Triangle!  In this creative e-book, Tino the Triangle sets out on an adventure to meet new people and make new friends.  As we read about Tino and the friends he encounters, our eyes are opened to the plethora of shapes in the world around us.  This story is a delightful and entertaining way to introduce young children to shapes.

The story opens as Tino decides to go out into the world to meet new friends.  Tap on Tino and the screen turns all blue except for Tino.  You can hear the sound his next friend makes before you reveal it, so the child can try to identify the sound.  Tap Tino again and his new friend appears, with Tino making a part of that animal.  So, for example, when Tino meets Ron the red bird, he becomes his beak.  Next he transforms into the head of a messy little mouse.  My kids absolutely loved hearing the sound and trying to guess what Tino would become next!

I truly fell in love with this e-book within the first few pages.  The illustrations are bright and colorful yet simple enough for young children to enjoy.  The creativity the authors used to transform the triangle into various animals is fantastic.  This is a great tool for introducing children to shapes as well as developing the ability to see different shapes in everyday objects.  The peek-a-boo, guessing game aspect of this e-book really kept my children engaged and they wanted to read it again and again.  This book is a free initial download that comes with 3 or 4 pages of the story, with a $0.99 in-app purchase for the full story.  It is definitely worth the $0.99 to purchase the whole story.  This app is one that I plan to read over and over again with my kids.  I hope that the developer will release more adventures with Tino the Triangle and maybe even some of this other shape friends.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

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I have the cutest picture on my iPod Touch right now of a little boy wearing a policeman’s hat. The hat fits him perfectly and it should since I took the photo while positioning the image on my viewer so that it would. That’s one of the features you’ll find in the app Kid’s Policeman an app designed to introduce small children to some of the daily responsibilities of a police officer.

Although he’s only 5, our local policeman had no trouble taking the app on all by himself, other than the picture. This let me know right away that it’s easy to use and can be completely self-guided. All of the interactions are simple tap, drag and drop, or finger swipe motions. For instance: dress the office for the day by dragging the pieces of his uniform. Maneuver the squad car by swiping your finger across the screen. Walk the police dog through his course by giving him a friendly tap. If you aren’t quite sure what to do a hand icon will appear to guide you. There are nine activities to enjoy and our little officer really liked snapping photos of speeding vehicles on his police cam and finding the bad guy hiding in the building windows.

Because the activities are simple and limited, it isn’t an app that holds attention for very long. If you are looking for something a child can play start to finish in an express checkout lane, or maybe a younger child, then Kid’s PoliceMan is a good fit.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.

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The new Write to Read app is a great way to teach your children to read.  With Write to Read, children will learn to read through writing.  This app is geared towards children ages 3 through 10 years old.  I thought that the concept of this app was very interesting, and I think that parents of learning readers should definitely check it out!

On the home screen of the app there are several buttons that you can select: Library, About, Create Book, Good Advice and Instructions.  The About section will inform parents and children of the research behind the app – it is very insightful…one excerpt reads, “The written language should not only be learned by training, it should be learned by doing.”  In the Good Advice section, parents and teachers can read several helpful tips that will show them how to get the most out of using the app with their child.  Once you have checked out the About and Good Advice sections, it is time for the Instructions.  The Instructions button will take you to a great video tutorial that goes step-by-step and teaches children how to use the app.  Now, we can choose Create Book!

In the Create Book section, children can create their very own books.  This section of the app is accessible to children of various ages and can be as simple or complex as you like.  Younger children can create books by recording stories that complement pictures that they have inserted (either taken with the iPad, or from your photos).  When adding text, younger children can type their version, and adults can add the conventional writing afterwards (basically, kids will practice typing and parents can show the correct spelling, etc.).  Older children can use the Create Book section as a book template and create longer and more complex books with more pages and writing.  I loved how the Write to Read app has a specially designed keyboard that incorporates the sounds of the letters as you type, this really helps kids with pronunciation.  Also, the vowels and consonants are marked in red and blue frames respectively to distinguish vowels vs. consonants.  The keyboard will show both lower and upper case as well.  There is a record button that you can use to record your voice reading the text you type, too!  In addition to typing and recording, there are other fun options to check out, so take your time and have fun.  Once you have finished with your book, it will be saved in the Library which you can visit any time to read all your different stories!

I really loved the Write to Read app!  I think that this app is great because it is very educational and also encourages creativity as children come up with their own stories (including text and photos).  I highly recommend this app to any parents who have children who are learning to write and read!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.