REVIEW: Grandma Tied A Quilt For Me by a BCD eBook

Story: This is one of the kids favorites. The story is about a boy and his quilt and the adventures they go on. It's a very simple premise, but is very effective, with lots of different characters and a few sweet moments with dear old Grandma.

Artwork: Compared to all of the other ebooks reviewed here, this book has the simplest illustrations, but they are done well. They have bright vivid colors and a sense of whimsy. I think the simplicity may be part of the reason the younger ones are attracted to this book so much.

Interface: What this book lacks in detailed illustrations it makes up for in animations. It definitely has some of the best/most animations of any ebook out there. One of the parts I liked most is the fact that the animations are tied to words in the text. You touch a highlighted word and it is enacted in the illustration. Great way for kids to learn to read. The interface is very easy and simple to use, with only a few buttons it's easy to navigate.

Devices: Available on Android, iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, and for your personal computer.

Summary: This is the book the kids always ask for. There's certain animations they play over and over again, just laughing their heads off. The best part for me is the great story line. It is definitely one of best original stories for ebooks I've ever read.

Click here to go to website

Click here to go to website

REVIEW: The Year of the Dragon by Mobad Games

Story: This is an original story about a young dragon and a boy who befriends him.  The main thrust of the tale is the desire of the dragon to be in some boat races. He defies his parents wishes to the contrary and actually becomes the boat for the little boy and the rest of their friends (all the other animals of the zodiac).  I was really excited about this story when I bought the app, but was let down after reading it. I was expecting it to have more of an Asian influence in it's style and execution. While dragon boat racing is a custom in China, nothing about the human characters felt authentically Chinese. The little boy even had blue eyes. 

Artwork: The illustrations are actually really good in and of themselves. The only problem I have with them relates back to the story. The story was not only lackluster but it was also very repetitive, so there isn't a lot of variety in the images presented here. However, the animal characters of the zodiac are adorable.

Interface: The interface is simple and intuitive just like I like it. One interesting element is the perspective of the images when you tilt your handheld device. The landscape moves in layers giving it a sense of depth that the developer calls "3D". It's an nice added bonus but does not add much to the overall experience. There's some nice interactivity with the dragons and boats where you can move them across the screen whichever way you like. The most dominant interaction is when you touch the characters they move a little and make a sound of some sort. This is where the repetitive nature of the story causes problems again. A lot of pages are of the animals of the zodiac making the same noises page after page. Also, at the end of the story you can look up your own Chinese zodiac and find out the meaning, which is a nice touch, but they mess it up. The Chinese zodiac is by year unlike the Western zodiac that is by month, and they list the years according to the Gregorian calender that starts on January 1st. Whereas, the Chinese new year changes every year in accordance with the lunar cycle. So, a lot of people will be misinformed as to their true Chinese Zodiac. It's little touches like this that made it seem like they weren't really telling an authentically Chinese story.

Devices: Available on iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

Summary: The app all in all is o.k. I just felt like an interesting concept was squandered by an overly bland plot.

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REVIEW: Alice In Wonderland by Atomic Antelope

Story: This is the story as written by Lewis Carroll. It really isn't a typical children's book, at least not in the modern sense. It's a 250 page novel with only a few illustrations, and may not keep the attention of younger kids.

Artwork: This app features the famous Tenniel illustrations, but they are fully colored here and animated. I personally am a huge fan of Tenniel's illustrations because of their fantastically-odd nature and Victorian-era flair. Most pages have only text, as it is a novel, but the look of the pages themselves are beautifully done.

Interface: The interface is easy to use and intuitive without too many bells and whistles. The animations and interactive parts are fun, but are limited and not worth the expensive price alone.

Devices: Available for iPad.

Summary: This ebook is basically just the original novel wrapped in a fancy presentation. I was a bit let down when I first got it, because what I imagined it was going to be was a lot more elaborate than what it actually is. However, for anyone interested in reading this entertaining tale by Lewis Carroll, this app is a great way to experience one of the best fantasy stories ever told.

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REVIEW: Cozmo's Day Off by Ayars Animation

Story: This is an original story about Cozmo (a being from another planet) who takes a day off from work. The plot, as simple as it is, is a little murky. I found myself having to turn back a few pages to find out what was actually going on. It may be because there were so many interactive parts to each page that the storyline is soon forgotten.

Interface: Story issues aside, this ebook has some of the most interactive elements per page I've ever seen. The kids really seemed to enjoy exploring each page, almost every object seemed to have some sort of animation. The interface is pretty easy to use and has some interesting elements, like the ability to change the pitch of the narrators voice from low to high. There is a simple video game in the middle of the book, the kids nor I found it fun or easy to play.

Artwork: The images are some of the best I've ever seen, even better than the Disney Digital book we recently reviewed.

Devices: Available on iPad/iPhone/iPod touch.

Summary: The story is a bit thin, but the interactive elements and images are some of the best out there.

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REVIEW: Toy Story by Disney Digital



Story: This is the story of the first movie in the Toy Story trilogy. As one of the most popular animated movies of all time, it's a safe bet you already know the plot. There's really nothing new added here.

Artwork: It's Disney/Pixar so of course the quality is superb, and since the movies were animated with computers they lend themselves perfectly to the digital platform of ebooks. Here the illustrations have a more pastoral, watercolor look that gives them more depth than the movie.

Interface: Disney has done a good job of making the interface simple and intuitive, especially since they offer so many options. You can record your own voice reading the book. There's a paint and color section. Music and video clips from the movie. And there are some fun and simple games that are well done using the tablet accelerometer.

Devices: Currently only available on iPad.

Summary: I feel the story might be a little slow for the younger ones, but the interactive elements are some of the best out there, and make up for anything it might lack overall.

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REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk by Ayers Animation

Story: This version of Jack and the Beanstalk is another faithful retelling of a famous fairy tale. You already know the story well.

Artwork: The illustrations are lovely with nice color palettes.

Interface:  The interface is nice. The starting page is a little confusing as is the index. There are fun interactive elements and games throughout, but some of the Easter eggs are a bit repetitive. There are few pieces of music and singing, but it would have been nice for there to be more.

Devices: Available on  iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch.

Summary: Even though there are few issues with the design and execution of the app, this is nice version of a favorite story.

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REVIEW:  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  by Touchy Book

Story: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a faithful tribute to the well-worn fairy tale. The plot is the same basic story we all know and love.


Artwork: The illustrations are artful and pretty with a great style all their own.

Interface: The interactive options are simple and solid. Easy to use without too many bells and whistles. The  one drawback may be the simplicity of the animations.

Devices:  Available on Android, iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch.

Summary: There's nothing new to the story, and the interactivity is pretty simple, but for anyone wanting to share this familiar tale with their children, the ease of use and great illustrations makes it worth while.

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The Perfect FUNERAL POTATOES Recipe

6 cups cooked, diced potatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 stick butter
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 c. grated onion
2 cups crushed corn flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine soup, 2 Tbs butter, sour cream, 1 c. cheese, onion, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the potatoes and stir gently until combined.

Place potato mixture in a 2-3 quart casserole dish or 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Top with 1 cup of cheese. Mix together 2 Tbs melted butter and corn flakes and put on top of cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.