Last week I reviewed and gave away two educational apps from Ruckus Media Group, John Henry and The Velveteen Rabbit to one lucky reader. This week I will be reviewing and giving away three new children’s apps to one lucky reader, The Three Little Pigs, Pecos Bill, and Johnny Appleseed. Read along to find out how you can win.
First in my review, The Three Little Pigs, a story time classic, was surprisingly enjoyable. Adapted by Tom Roberts, Holly Hunter’s narration took me by complete surprise. If you’ve heard that story once, you’ve heard it a million times but you haven’t heard it told like this before. The narration and illustration (by David Jorgensen) were pleasantly humorous and Holly Hunter does all four of the distinct voices in the story – the three pigs and the wolf. The wolf’s accent mimics thugs from the streets of Little Italy while the third pig sounds like she’s from Long Island – renditions I would’ve never thought of. My favorite line from the third little pig in response to the wolf’s cleverness: “Out of bed, already fed, and all set for my nap.” Ha! The video option of the app is about 15 minutes long, and like the other Rabbit Ears apps from Ruckus, it has triple usability: watching the video, reading the book, and read/record. I own another Three Little Pigs app on my iPad which my 3 year old adores and which I’d say is more appropriate for him with its bright colors and touch points. Whereas that app bores my 7 year old, the Ruckus version had him (and me) in stitches.
The second app that I reviewed was Pecos Bill, narrated by Robin Williams. As soon as I saw who was telling the story, I started chuckling. However, my 7 year old’s laughter and enjoyment of the video version of the app was priceless. The video was a little over 30 minutes and full of colorful illustrations and even more colorful narration. Williams’ gift for imitation serves this story well and I can’t think of a better choice as its narrator. Pecos Bill’s journey from an abandoned infant in the frontier to a commanding wild horse-riding crazy cowboy will have kids young and old glued to their screens grinning from ear to ear. When I asked my son what he liked most about the story, he replied, “it’s colorful and loud and silly.” My sentiments exactly.
Last in my review is the story of Johnny Appleseed. Compared to Pecos Bill, this was a much more mellow story – music, narration, illustration and all. Told by Garrison Keillor, this true story has a wonderful message about goodwill, selflessness, and performing kind acts for others with no expectation for reciprocation. Because of the pace and tone of Johnny Appleseed, it would be my choice for a bedtime story. Out of all the apps I’ve reviewed so far, this would be one where I would explore the other user features. My son’s commentary: “It was good. I like it.”
Here’s how you can win these three apps. One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win all three apps in this giveaway. Contest runs from 3/23/2011 – 3/29/2011, 12:00am EST. Here’s all you have to do:
- Check out my interview of Rick Richter on the Examiner.com. You can read the article here.
- Either comment there or on the blog something interesting you learned and that will count as your entry.
- If you comment in both places, that will count as 2 entries.
Disclosure: I did not receive financial compensation for this review. Ruckus Media Group provided me with the apps to review.
I am very excited about this article! I think there is certainly a place for educational apps and am excited about introducing them to my 3 year old (having recently purchased and iPhone). Children should be exposed to all forms of media and this company seems to be making a real effort to create apps that are appealing. I can’t wait to check them out! Publishing companies have nothing to worry about in my opinion. My son has a library full of books and I will have a phone full of apps!
I completely agree with you Kala. There’s a place for traditional books as well as new media. I think the new forms of learning will only enhance the more traditional forms. Thank you for your wonderful comment Kala.
Kala, thank you so much for your message. You are exactly right – we are making apps with one mission in mind: education. I hope you enjoy the apps you won- we went them earlier.