Mickey's Spooky Night Puzzle Book

Price: $0.99
Grade Recommendation: PreK - 2nd
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: N/A
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

What a cute story! Although it has a Halloween theme, children will probably enjoy the story year round. Mickey is throwing a Halloween party, but his friends are scared of noises and sights in his house. No worries - the mystery is solved and everyone winds up happy and ready to party!

"Puzzle" is in the title because some of the illustrations encourage students to put puzzle pieces in place. Other interactive elements are also included.

The book is highly customizable. You can use the 'Read to Me' option, read it yourself, or record someone's voice to read the story! You can also turn the 'Auto-turn Pages' on or off. An index is also included, making it easy to turn directly to a favorite page.

Grover Book

Price: $3.99
Grade Recommendation: K - 2nd
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: N/A
Levels: 2
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This is actually a children's book disguised as an app. To this day, 'The Monster at the End of this Book' remains one of my favorite books. This app/book is absolutely delightful! The "lovable, furry old Grover" serves as the narrator (and only character). The words appear and are highlighted as he reads them to students.

The reading experience can be customized. Students can start on a favorite page, rather than from the beginning. 'Parent Tip Mode' activates a setting where parents (or teachers!) can obtain helpful information about getting the most from this app. 'Young Reader Mode' adds an arrow pointing to where students should touch to 'turn' the page. It also makes the text appear altogether and highlights words as Grover reads them. No matter the mode, a yellow glow highlights interactive experiences within the app.

Any student even vaguely familiar with this cute Sesame Street character will certainly enjoy this app/book!

Seuss books

Price: $1.99 - $4.99
Grade Recommendation: K - 5th
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: n/a
Levels: n/a
Players: n/a
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

I've found that the books released as an actual app are more enjoyable than ones available through an e-bookstore like Apple, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon. All app-based books come with three options: Read to Me, Read It Myself, or Auto Play. The pictures are interactive and quite detail-oriented.

The many Dr. Seuss apps-as-books are no exception!

So far I have purchased...
- Gertrude McFuzz
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- Oh, the Places You'll Go
- The Cat in the Hat
- The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
- ABC
- The Lorax
- Hop on Pop
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Green Eggs and Ham
- The Sneetches
- What was I Scared Of?
- I Can Read With My Eyes Shut
- Horton Hears a Who
- The Foot Book
- The Big Brag
- Happy Birthday to You

The collection is quite pricey to acquire, but the apps are worth every penny. Your students will enjoy the story while also exploring what lurks behind 'hidden' areas of the pictures.