Since Summer Break is not that far away we decided to put together some Best of Apps Series to help keep your kids and students learning whilst having fun on their Summer Holiday. Whether you are just after something to keep the kids occupied for a while or if you want them to continue learning to keep their brains sharp then we have some wonderful apps to help. With books for all ages and reading levels we have something for everyone.
Best Book Apps
Learning Library Collection (Dr. Seuss/Cat in the Hat)
By Oceanhouse Media
The Cat in The Hat Learning Library is an awesome collection for teaching children in a fun and engaging way about the universe and all its surrounds, including life within. This series of learning library books teaches your children with rhyming, interaction, great illustrations, and who could forget the touch text options. These also serve to help kids expand their vocabulary as well as learning to read and recognise sight words, and word/picture association. A great range of books to have in your collection that can be used either at school or at home. Check out the whole collection of these apps by clicking on the link. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-04-08 06:07:27 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1mdfqtX
The Wonky Donkey
By Kiwa Media
(4.99) The Wonky Donkey. This is a book that the whole family will fall in love with. It has some fun rhyming and is based along the same lines as stories such as there was an old lady who swallowed a fly, and this is the house that jack built where the story gradually builds up as page by page more is added to the text. You can choose to have the story read to you in a sing a long song, where the narrator actually sings the story to you instead of reading it which is quite fun in itself. You can also just read the story or you can record your own version of the story to have read back to your kids. Mine love the sing along as it just adds so much to this silly story of the wonky donkey. From the world button you can just have the story read to you instead of the singing as well. The app has some interaction on each page which will also have kids giggling with delight. I love the colouring option where kids can paint each page of the story. These paintings can be exported to your device library. I highly recommend this app. One your whole family will fall in love with instantly. There are no IAP’s or external links that I could find. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-21 04:45:45 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1pcmjxR
Roxie’s Doors
By OCG Studios
(2.99) Roxie’s Doors is a delightful seek and find interactive storybook, that your kids will enjoy for years to come. Choose between narrators, Roxie, Dirk or simply read it to yourself, then get busy opening doors of all kinds to seek and find objects. There are so many places to explore, and it is like going on a road trip to sift through all the environments that Roxie Munro and her team have created. Firehouses, submarines and airplanes, to name a few….all with proper gear and objects to examine. Searching through cupboards and other enclosures is not as easy as it sounds, and opening one door may occlude the object that you are looking for. I love the fact that all objects to find are highlighted, and the color turns from red to green, once found. Seek and Find books are always a great choice for steadily increasing attention, and the ability to visually scan. These are the skills that help you find your keys in the morning as an adult, and your shoes as a kid rushing to get to school. Links to other apps by this developer are tucked away behind a secured button, and there are no IAPs. Highly Recommended. ~Jo Booth OT on 2014-05-22 15:08:14 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1nn5n8m
The Very Hungry Bear
By We Are Wheelbarrow PTY LTD
(4.99) The Very Hungry Bear is another marvelous eBook from Wheelbarrow apps. They have taken this gorgeous book from Nick Bland and turned it into a fun interactive story books the whole family will enjoy. With rhyming throughout which helps to draw children in and engage them in the story being read to them. The story starts of with bear who is trying to catch his dinner by fishing and instead catches a polar bear who is looking for a new home. The polar bear offers bear all his fish if he just helps him find a new home. Agreeing to do this they go on an adventure trying to find the right home for the polar bear. They eventually find this and build polar bear an igloo to sleep in. There are interactions on every page which your children will love, as well as finding the 6 hidden fish throughout the story which will unlock a fun building an igloo game at the end of the story. The narrator is brilliant and reads the story well or you can choose to read it yourself. The illustrations are done brilliantly. My only wish was that text was highlighted as the story was read. There are no IAP’s however external links are not locked from kids. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-19 18:52:31 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/SgMCYW
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy
By Penguin New Zealand Pty Ltd
(4.99) Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is a wonderful story to share with your children. You can have the narrator read it to your kids or you can record your own narration to have the story read to your kids. There is also the option to have this read in Australian, New Zealand and American Sign Language. My daughter loves this one we have a lot of fun listening to her copy the accent of the narrator. As the story is being read words jump off the page and also change from red to black so children can follow along with the story. There is a tiny amount of interaction in the book, but I do love that kids can touch on any word in the story to have that word spoken. This allows kids to learn to recognise sight words as well as learning new words. The book is filled with rhyming and repetition so children learn to read along with the story as it is repeated over and over. My kids both know this story off by heart. Also included are some other great features like kids being able to colour each and every page of the book. A wonderful classic story with some gorgeous illustrations that your kids will love. There are no IAP’s and external links are locked from kids. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-21 18:02:43 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1jwt9xr
My Mom’s the Best
By Snappyant
(3.99) My Mom’s the Best is an absolute delight! I have used this book all week in prep for Mother’s Day, and it has elicited giggles and sounds of pure joy from all of my students. The flow and construction of this app, is simply perfect. The story unfolds with text as it is being read across the screen, followed by a large uncluttered graphic that depicts a Mom and child. Each centers around a young child’s familiar routines using animal moms and babies as the illustrations, (my fave are the hula hooping hippos). This book is appropriate and fun for all ages – and is a must read with your child. There are no links or IAPs, and I Highly Recommend it. ~Jo Booth OT on 2014-05-09 06:08:33 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1hzCpwo
Even Monsters Are Shy
By Busy Bee Studios
(1.99) Even Monsters Are Shy is a fantastic app by Busy Bee Studios, the makers of Even Monsters Get Sick. This is wonderful interactive tale of a boy who try’s to helps his new pet monster overcome shyness. The app has stunning graphics and built in mini games that great for hand-eye coordination and simply just plain fun! Also, this app is great for children who may be a bit shy themselves, or have a friend or sibling who is. I highly recommend this app, both for its message and how well it is executed. In my opinion, it is appropriate for many children with special needs as well. There are no ads or IAPs, and the parent’s section is locked. ~Angie Gorz on 2014-04-24 00:39:36 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1pvv8kL
Go Away, Big Green Monster! for iPad
By Night & Day Studios, Inc.
(2.99) Go Away, Big Green Monster! for iPad I adore this app and so do my students. I have used the book over the years and love having this digital version that cannot be ripped and abused. Not to mention this one will SING to us! Better yet is the option where the author himself reads to us. Most of my students have been introduced to the paper version by their preschool teachers and are delighted to touch the screen and interact with the book in this way. We use the language from the story to “talk” to the monster and scare him away. There are external links to other Night & Day studio apps but they have a parental gate, always a plus. ~Amy Taylor on 2014-02-19 01:43:10 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/15kfVue
The Wrong Book
By We Are Wheelbarrow PTY LTD
(4.99) The Wrong Book. This is a very fun book that I love sharing with my kids. The book is narrated and the narration is absolutely brilliant. I love the interactivity in the book which allows your kids to play with each of the characters in the book. I love the little hint that comes out the side which gives an idea of what is coming up on the next page (see if your kids can guess). My kids know this off by heart so know what is coming up on the next page but I still think that is just a little something extra that makes this special. My only wish would be for each page to be enlarged to the screen size to be better able to be read by everyone, however I do understand it is for the above reason that they have set it out this way. There is an option for you to record yourself reading the book so your kids can playback your reading instead of the narrator however my kids love the way it is read to them so I wouldn’t change it. There are no IAP’s however external links are not locked from kids. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-20 19:30:35 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1jwt9xu
I Love You Too – Ziggy Marley
By Oceanhouse Media
(3.99) I Love You Too – Ziggy Marley. OceanHouse Media has done a wonderful job of bringing this story/song to life. This story gives the reader a warm, happy feeling as you read along. The illustrations show people of many cultures and ages having fun together. I plan to show it to my students via my Smart board on Valentines Day, but it is also great for any time of the year. The user can choose from Autoplay, in which the app reads the story aloud and turns the pages automatically, highlighting each word as it is read. There is also Read to Me, in which the story is read aloud but the user chooses when to turn the pages, or Read It Myself, for the child that is ready to do so. As you go through the pages, you can tap on the pictures to hear the vocabulary and see the words pop up for you to read. This is good for beginning readers, English Language Learners, and anyone else that needs to develop a stronger vocabulary. A sing-along option allows you to hear the song played, with words highlighted so you can sing along. A parents section can be accessed in which parents can read directions and other OM information. I have started to collect a few of the OceanHouse Media storybooks, so I downloaded the free OM Bookshelf to make it easier for my students to find them when they want to. You won’t be disappointed with this lovely story! ~Donna on 2014-01-02 16:47:09 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1crXBBO
The Mouse and the Meadow
By Dawn Publications
(3.99) The Mouse and the Meadow is a delightful e-book app that takes you through a young mouse and his adventures in the meadow. You can have this book read aloud to you (the text is highlighted as it is read) or read it to yourself. The professional narration and beautiful illustrations combined with lots of accurate and engaging science information make this a book sure to be enjoyed over and over. Highly recommend! ~Valerie Maples on 2014-03-12 02:27:44 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1gZyKdQ
The Very Cranky Bear
By We Are Wheelbarrow PTY LTD
(4.99) The Very Cranky Bear is a favourite story in our house. We have this book in paperback and my kids have grown up having this read to them at home as well as at daycare. When I showed them we had it on the iPad they were delighted. This version is a fun interactive way for my kids to enjoy one of their favourite stories. My kids and I enjoyed this version of the story. The developers have executed it perfectly. I also love that by interacting with each page in the story they can find cards which will unlock a dress up bear game at the end. There are some fun interactions on each page which invite your kids into the story and keep them engaged. This ebook has 2 options read to me or read myself and in the read myself option you can even record yourself reading the story so your kids can play back your voice. There are no IAP’s however external links are not locked from kids. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-13 04:31:50 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1iSEzvk
The Funny Fair
By Flitwits Ltd
(4.99) The Funny Fair and the other 2 books in this award winning series are an incredible and wild ride through the land of Fussbut. The world created by Eiry Rees Thomas is rich and alive, and each book in the series was created to keep the attention of 8 -11 year olds who need support in transitioning between picture books and chapter reading as well as to enhance basic skills across curricula. The educational guide that is included, can help keep parents and educators involved through tips on how to extend play and get the most from the app. Follow Jester Bit and the other citizens of Fussbut, on their escapades and adventures. Narration is rich, fluid, poetic and slightly surreal. You never know what will happen next and just who may float into the story of the Flitlits at the fair. Can anyone outsmart Jester? What will Ozzie, Posy and Ziggy Zag plan to do? And that is what makes these stories so remarkable as anything can happen! Highly Highly Recommended. ~Jo Booth OT on 2014-05-21 15:43:06 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1n1Vflc
The UnStealer
By Joshua Wilson
(3.99) The UnStealer is an Uncanny Unobvious look of a book dealing with negativity and self-regulation. In the story, the UnStealer slips in and steals all the “Uns” from the day, turning Unfriendly, Unconfident, or Unhappy beings into friendly, confident and happy ones. All pages have interactive features that are purposeful and reinforce the story, and the artwork is Unreal in its richness and creativity. I like how this app deals with darker feelings and misgivings, allowing kids to feel those emotions out and learn, that thoughts are just thoughts….and even though it might seem Uneasy, it is within our power to just Unbound or allow these emotions to Unstick themselves away. I would definitely use this book with preschoolers, and reinforce its message in everyday routines to try to change habitual patterns. It wouldn’t be Unfun at all to catch each other’s negativity and Unsweep it away. Recommended. ~Jo Booth OT on 2014-01-12 16:28:43 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/SgMDvK
I Don’t Like Spiders, They Walk On The Sky
By Touchscreen Tales
(3.99) I Don’t Like Spiders, They Walk On The Sky — I absolutely loved the storytelling in this book. You begin by creating an avatar even can play a dress up game with the option to save your creations to your camera roll. You have the option to have the story read to you in a delightful British accent or by yourself. It was wonderful to see the text highlighted and changing colors from unread, being read, and already read. The slightly British accent and the cute animations were very engaging sure to make children return to this book over and over again. I like the fact that a child could not be distracted by randomly turning pages until the text had been read. It was also great that there was not excessive interactivity so that the child could focus on the story being told. Great job! Looking forward to future offerings. ~Valerie Maples on 2014-01-04 20:25:08 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/SgMDvM
Mabell’s Zoo – Interactive Counting Book
By Brenda Long
(1.99) Mabell’s Zoo – Interactive Counting Book is a luxurious and expansive counting trip through the jungle. Discover sights, sounds and play in a way that is like no other storybook app. Each page is delightfully narrated by both the author and her daughter, and has multiple sounds to explore as well. There are the sounds of the jungle and resonant harmonics to keep kids alert and attentive as well as providing a sense of space in which to explore. And if that is not enough, the interactive feature on each page teaches little ones about how objects relate to one another in a physical or spatial sense and gives the app a 3D quality. I love the penguin page and seeing what happens when you have too many penguins on a ledge or when they are placed on a slippery slide. Playing and exploring in this way teaches praxis…or the ability to predict what to do based on past experiences or by pure experimentation. This is one storybook app, that will continue to delight kids and adults alike. Highly Recommended. ~Jo Booth OT on 2014-05-21 14:50:37 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1n1VexE
Axe’s Monster Fest
By Michelle Anaya
(3.99) Monster Jam is a great book for early elementary kids. The plot revolves around Monsters who have a band and are faced with the dilemma of their lead singer not being able to sing for the big gig. I like how the book demonstrates brainstorming when we are faced with problems, and not all solutions work out. Text is highlighted line by line to facilitate flow of reading for beginning readers, which is great for kids needing to improve on efficiency and accuracy. It also keeps kids on line if they have either physical or visual issues that keep them from reading in a sequential manner. There are a couple of interactive games in the story, but they do not interfere with the flow of the book. I personally know quite a few boys that will be thrilled with the storyline, and this could be a great motivator for reading. There is an unsecured link to more apps on the home page, but no IAPs or ads. Recommended. ~Jo Booth OT on 2013-12-26 11:31:38 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1dToHTD
Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – interactive rhyming story book app for kids
By Well Said Press Kids’ Book Apps
(1.99) Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – interactive rhyming story book app for kids is a enchanting story about a fox who just won’t wake up from sleeping on Peter Maceever’s lawn. From one quarter past one to five o’clock, Mr. Maceever spies the fox through his window and even goes out to investigate….but Ferdinand is dreaming of treats….and so on he sleeps. I like how the book is written to a time frame as this really gives kids a sense of the day passing and what time means in terms of our activities. The rhyming storyline is perfect for napping or bedtime in helping to calm little ones and help them settle in. The rhyming sets a rhythm that kids can sync to and that can either slow us down or rev us up depending on the cadence of the reader. On the main page there is read to me, read to myself, or a section for a matching game. Another bonus is that the developer has also given their readers puzzles and coloring pages on their website. All links are secured, and there are no IAPs or ads. Recommended.
~Jo Booth OT on 2013-12-22 06:57:50 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1dv3u2h
Sydney the Scarecrow
By Felt Board Lady
(1.99) Sydney the Scarecrow Sydney is a charming and interactive storybook about a scarecrow named Sydney. Sydney is so good at doing his job that he becomes lonely and has no friends, but he learns how to make friends by being nice. The app has beautiful narration, and engaging animation for children. It is ideal for young children, as well as special needs children, who are working on fine motor skills and social skills. All external links are locked, and there are no ads or IAPs. I highly recommend this app!
~Angie Gorz on 2013-12-19 00:21:46 ==> User rating: 4 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1gUr92n
Hanna&Henri
By Tales & Dice AB
(4.99) Hanna&Henri is an absolutely lovely story about going to a birthday party and what one needs to do for a very exciting day! Help Henry wake up, get dressed and have some breakfast before bicycling off to the toy store to buy Hannah a gift. The illustrations and narration are wonderful, and the activities are pertinent to the story. Sorting, categories and the sequence to an outing are all included. I love that the parents and Henry wear a helmet when bicycling, it is presented as an everyday routine which is fabulous! There is also a spatial orientation portion that helps kids learn to follow a map. Manners and social strategies are also included which is great for rehearsals. I love this birthday story and would recommend to all who have birthdays and parties in their futures! ~Jo Booth OT on 2013-12-10 17:38:48 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1dnXXdM
Room on the Broom: Games
By Magic Light Pictures Ltd.
(4.99) Room on the Broom: Games. Room on the Broom is an absolute must for preschoolers learning basic iPad skills. The games are based on the book by Julia Donaldson, and oh yes, next shopping trip that book just may follow me home. The illustrations are beautiful, and the music is low key and engaging, creating a sense of wonderment and discovery. With eight languages to choose from, it supports a wide variety of nations. There are a total of 8 games – finding objects- both ones that are hidden and moving- teaching coordination of kid’s visual motor systems, a star dot to dot as well as creating pathways of stars for Witch and Cat to fly, feed the dragon (moving the dragon to feed on fries), and flying a broom to pick up letters to spell simple words. I love that the targeting games have a purpose with a specific goal and are not just hot spots placed all over the page. In the star to star, you can create the pathway to the next star- making loop de loops or zigzags if you wish. Want a different color? A simple tap on the star changes the color. The only thing I could possibly want is that the book be made available for the iPad. This game is not just for Halloween, and could be played anytime. Highly Recommended. ~Jo Booth on 2013-11-16 12:53:54 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/17eIEGL
storysmart2: Casey’s Big Day – Social Language Skills
By Ruby Cube Inc.
(3.99) storysmart2: Casey’s Big Day – Social Language Skills. This is a great app for working on social language. It starts with letting you record a sound for when you get an answer correct and one for when an question is answered incorrectly. My students really enjoyed that. The design of the app is clean and uncluttered. The story brings about good discussion for social skills. My students liked how the illustrations changed depending on which answer they choose within the story. Great app overall! ~Sarah Cox on 2013-09-25 19:55:17 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/QC6qFE
The Cat in the Hat – Dr. Seuss
By Oceanhouse Media
(3.99) The Cat in the Hat – Dr. Seuss is an engaging and fun storybook app from Oceanhouse Media. The app allows you to read it yourself, or it will read it to you, while highlighting the words and allowing the user to control the pages. Another option is autoplay, where it reads the book and turns the pages automatically. It also allows the user to record their own voice reading the story and play it back with that option as well. Touching the pictures labels the pictures, and the words will repeat if you touch them as well. There are external links to other related apps, but they are all under a parental control lock. In all, a great story app and I love the option to record your own voice! ~Jennifer Erp on 2013-11-04 19:07:07 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/11nJoX9
Mr Frog the Neighbours Dog
By Wales Interactive Ltd.
(0.99) Mr Frog the Neighbours Dog! is a keeper. The basic premise is a frog pretending to be a dog. There is just such silliness and delight in watching the antics of this doggie/froggie. Each page comes with an activity such as dress up, coloring or a puzzle. The narration is pleasing to the ears and done with a nice cadence so that little one’s can process the information. There are unsecured links to other apps, but no IAPs. Highly Recommended. ~Jo Booth on 2013-08-30 06:45:22 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/SgMCYT
Gorilla Band 3D story book with music – Wasabi Productions
By Wasabi Productions
(3.99–>2.99) Gorilla Band 3D story book with music – Wasabi Productions Gorilla Band is a sure fire hit across a variety of kids that I see – both boys and girls with differing cognitive abilities and skills. I love how Wasabi makes stories fun as well as help kids learn important life lessons. One of the nice features is that requests for tapping to facilitate the story is directed and not meaningless tapping and searching. Also that you can customize to delay tapping until after the page is read which helps to teach impulse control. Beginning readers can follow highlighted text, helping them to learn the cadence and rhythm of reading and writing. All in all, I would highly recommend this app. ~Jo Booth on 2013-08-29 18:45:49 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1f5yyW9
Elmer’s Special Day
By Oceanhouse Media
(3.99) Elmer’s Special Day is a lovely story that very nicely weaves in how to be part of a community and resolve issues that occur. I loved the story line, beautiful graphics and fun ending. This story offers different ways to hear/read the story and is interactive in that words will be presented for the items touched. Text is highlighted as it is read, reinforcing word recognition. The story can be used in so many ways, such as cause and effect, predictions, same and different, sequencing events and so much more. I am excited to use this with my special needs students and follow up with an art activity to make their own Elmer. This is an excellent app that does offer information and more apps to purchase, accessible by following the “For parents only Directions”. This developer has a real knack for creating quality apps for children. ~Ann O’Keeffe on 2013-06-05 04:43:07 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/152RO40
Penelope The Purple Pirate
By PicPocket Books
(1.99) Penelope The Purple Pirate is a great story that focuses on story content and rich language used in storytelling. Both boys and girls will love the adventure side in Penelope’s character. One can read the book to the child or have it read clearly by the narrator. There is also highlighted text which can help at any level of early reading. And I love the followup questions at the end to foster more discussion! My preschooler has definitely learned about creative thinking and imagination through this book. ~Christie on 2013-05-09 11:25:57 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/11nJoGD
The Very Itchy Bear
By We Are Wheelbarrow PTY LTD
(4.99) The Very Itchy Bear is an excellent eBook which the developers have done extremely well with. We have this book in paperback as well and my kids just adore it. They have grown up having this story read to them and to have this interactive version of the book on their iPad they were thrilled. The story is based on bear who gets a visitor flea. Flea bites and bites bear making him itch till he finally gets rid of him. Once rid of him out in the sea bear watches as a hungry bird attacks flea and then swims to save him. They then become friends and do everything together. As well as the interactions with bear and flea on each and every page is also hidden flowers throughout the book. Once they get the 5 hidden flowers, at the end of the story this unlocks a build a boat game where kids get to design their own boat and then set it sailing. A great story to share with your kids. The narrator does a brilliant job or you can read it yourself. My only wish was that words were highlighted as the story was being read. There are no IAP’s however external links are not locked from kids. ~Sharon Turriff on 2014-05-19 18:00:21 ==> User rating: 5 Recommended: Yes
- http://bit.ly/1jwt9xy
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