Flying Poodles: A Christmas Story ($1.99 for iPhone; $1.99 for iPad)
Flying Poodles is a storybook app, with a read-it yourself option or autoplay. In either mode, the book is accompanied by music -- a nice touch -- but it becomes a little jarring when you turn the page (a simple finger swipe will accomplish this) and the music suddenly stops while the 'page turn' animation plays. The narrated version of the story is well-enunciated and clear, but users trying to read or follow along with the narration will find that the small text is difficult to see. The text visibility problem becomes severe when the phone is held horizontally. There is no option to zoom in on the text.
The story is a moderately challenging one, with multisyllabic words and some complex sentences. At a minimum, some degree of previous storybook reading experience is recommended. The illustrations are very good and provide the story with life and color. The reading experience itself is bolstered by the use of multiple 'voices,' encouraging young readers to act out the story and become a little more immersed in the experience. Flying Poodles provides a charming story to read, although the small text means good eyesight is a must.
(Review by Graham Rhodes, 3/6/11. He received a free copy of the app for review.)
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