The Zoo

When looking for some books to read with my daughter on my Ipad I did some research on one of my favorite blogs, coolmomtech.com.  They did a glowing write up on a new take on the classic LadyBird series from the 1960’s, so I bought the app, and started reading with my daughter.

Author: M.E. Gagg
Illustrator: Barry Driscoll
Publisher: Penguin Books (2011)
First published in print in 1960 by Wills & Hepworth
Prices: $2.99
Reading level: 2-6
Interest level: Lower Grades
Physical Characteristics: Ipad App version 2.3, 72.8 MB, 32 pages
Series: LadyBird Classics Me Books
ISBN: 0721411754
Genres: ebook, Ipad App
Subjects:
Early Reader
Zoo

Annotation:
An early reader from the 1960’s about the zoo which has been updated for the Ipad.

Summary:  This book starts with a picture of a zoo, a master shot of all the animals.  It then goes on to introduce each animal individually.  The single sentences on the left side of the page match the pictures on the right side of the page.

Evaluation:  The LadyBird classic books have very simple illustrations and minimal matching text.  They have been duplicated for the Ipad with no modern updates to typeface, pictures, or cover.  Instead the newness comes from the smart use of technology. Each page has “hotspots” that you can touch to hear sound effects or a narrator reading the text.  If you don’t like the preprogrammed voices or sound effects then you can program it with your own hotspots, sound effects and narration. 
This book is great.  It can be used simply as a traditional book with the child or parent reading, it can be used with the built in narration as the child follows along or it can be totally customized.  The options make this book something that children will want to revisit.  And in reading the book repeatedly young emerging readers will learn and grow as readers.  I have to hide the Ipad at bedtime, so my daughter doesn’t stay up reading and recording the book.

Similar Titles or Authors:

The Farm by M.E. Gagg
Helping at Home by M.E. Gagg
Going to School by M.E. Gagg

Websites:
http://www.ladybird.co.uk/

Professional Reviews:
Kirkus

All images (c) Penguin Books

http://coolmomtech.com/2013/01/kindergarten-reading-app-for-kids/