The Toilet Monster
Written by Heather Leister
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Screenshots
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Toilet training is something I’m going to have to eventually face with my Miss J. Can you tell this is my fourth time to this rodeo? I know exactly what I’m coming up against and I am in no hurry to get there. This app, The Toilet Monster, is for those of you who have little ones that are afraid of the toilet. We’ve got the opposite problem here. I’d like Miss J to develop at least a little bit of fear, enough to keep her hands and toys out of the water. Have I revealed too much? So this may not be the perfect app for us but it might be just what you’re looking for.
Lola is afraid of the monster that lives in her toilet. It gurgles and roars and while it’s there she’s not going near that toilet. That’s a big roadblock when you’re toilet training. But Lola is a smart little girl and she talks herself through her fear, confronts it and finds a solution. In the end the Toilet Monster is happy, Lola is happy and I’m sure her mom must be happy too. I like the look of Lola’s illustrations. She’s a cute character and the monster is pretty adorable himself. Even though he has chosen a toilet for his home.
The book comes with optional narration and the ability to record two versions of yourself reading the story. There are also sound effects to discover by tapping around on the screen. The Toilet Monster was developed in Singapore and you can hear that the narrator doesn’t speak with the American accent that I’m used to hearing but I had no problem understanding her words. If you have to leave the app mid-story it will bookmark your page and you’ll be given the chance to resume at this spot when you return. The only snag I ran into with the app was slow page turning. I’m not sure if I just wasn’t swiping the right spot or something else, but I found the page turning to be tricky. If I was frustrated then I know my children would be.
I appreciate how the app takes a positive approach with this issue. Laughing at a problem is one of the best ways to face it, at least that’s what I think.
Price when Reviewed: $1.99
Seller: Tusitala Pte Ltd
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this app for review purposes.
By Scott Brown on Jan 27, 2011
Hmmm, I think I need this for my 3 year old. Such a fun topic /sarcasm
I love the illustrations. Very nice. Thank you!
By Trong Dinh on Jan 28, 2011
can not wait to see an iPad version!
By D. Lyl on Jan 28, 2011
I’ve heard the voice on the app before and I think you should clarify that the child’s accent isn’t American or British but that doesn’t mean he/she is not a “native English speaker”. Your remark is pretty ignorant. Many Singaporeans are native English speakers but their accents are unfamiliar to most ears.
By The iPhone Mom on Jan 28, 2011
I reread what I’d written and you’re right, it did come across as ignorant which wasn’t my intent at all. I meant exactly what you pointed out. The accent isn’t American or British but is easily understood by those of us who are used to hearing those accents. I’ve fixed my original statement and I apologize, I meant no offense. I simply didn’t explain myself as well as I should have and I appreciate you catching me on it. ~Heather