Jack and the Beanstalk App Review
App Info
Price: $4.99
Overview
The classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk gets a slightly modernized look in this digital storybook from Nosy Crow. Kids play a role in the story as they read-along and play a variety of games contained within. In fact, in order to continue reading, kids must successfully complete challenges that unlock parts of the story. How they play the games and the choices they make as they read have the potential to change the story. Essentially, kids hold the fate of Jack and the giant in their hands.
Features include:
- Games within the text
- Alternate endings
- Animated characters
- Text-highlighting
Quality
High-quality, continuous animations make the text feel like a short film than a story. From the characters’ British accents to the background music and sound effects, no aspect has gone unnoticed. Multiple touch-points react as kids interact with them and the game itself reacts to the choices kids make.
Education
Through the games and animations, kids see that reading can be fun. The choices kids make as they read through the story and play the games also help introduce them to concepts such as plot and character development. Kids will see how the choices they make directly effect the character’s actions and, ultimately, affect how the story ends.
Entertainment
Kids will want to read Jack and the Beanstalk over and over again because they get to play such a large role in the process. They’ll start to feel connected with the very animated and very likable characters who ask kids to complete tasks throughout the story.
Value
With Jack and the Beanstalk parents will find kids get more than a digital story. They also get a selection of highly entertaining games. These combine to create a very entertaining and quality reading experience, making it worth the higher price.
Child Friendliness
Clear directions and circles identifying touch-points help guide kids as they play. Accessing help files requires parents to enter their year of birth, restricting access to those born before the year 2000.