Since it’s a little over half way through the year and I have reviewed some outstanding apps so far, I am offering a mid-year BOBs list. On 5 August 2012, The Guardian published a list of its 50 best apps for children. My list would be different, so here are the Not Guardian BOBs.
Creative
Little Fox Music Box so engaging that I forgot I was reviewing and just played.
A Jazzy Day Early learning about jazz music. Beautifully crafted.
Do Re Mi 1 2 3 Sing, play, compose, record. It’s all there.
Early Learning
Bugs and Bubbles which follows on from the excellent Bugs and Buttons. They don’t come any better.
Alphabet
Jazzy ABC music and letters combined. Great idea.
Animals Alphabet for Charles Peattie’s classic cartoons
The Singing Alphabet Simple, but stunningly creative
Noodle Words learn to love letters for their own little personalities
Interactive stories
The Three Little Pigs Nosy Crow animated storybook
Cinderella – Nosy Crow animated picture book They don’t get any better than this.
Bizzy Bear Builds a House and Bizzy Bear on the Farm Immersive learning through play.
Bo’s Dinnertime and Bo’s Bedtime Story colourful, engaging approaches to everyday routines.
Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery for the graphics in general and the Balloon Theatre in particular
ebooks
Babel the King a grumpy cat with little sense who wants to be a King. Great characterisation.
Dr Seuss Beginner Book Collection #1 and #2 Classic Dr Seuss in a digital age.
The Edible Suit Wacky, weird but brilliant retelling of an Edward Lear nonsense poem.
Van Gogh and the Sunflowers Even better than the print book – which was pretty good.
Educational
Ice is Nice! All about the North and South Poles one of many Dr Seuss science apps, all equally good for introducing basic concepts.
Oh Say Can You Say Di – No – Saur? Become a dinosaur hunter with The Cat in the Hat.
For Tweens
The 2011 BOBs.
To celebrate the production of some outstanding apps in 2011, I have created the BOB – the Best of the Best reviews from my site. I have thoroughly enjoyed reviewing all of the apps which I have posted, but these below stand out. I have explained the reasons for my choices in The 2011 BOBs post at teacherturnedwriter.gillrobins.com.
