Boynton Going to Bed Book

Price: $1.99
Rating:

As a child, my mother would often read Sandra Boynton books to me. When I was well, they were inspiring, and when I was sick, they were comforting. Nothing, however, has been more comforting to me then reading Boynton books to my own children. I watch as their eyes light up, as their smiles widen when they view the adorable illustrations, and as their imaginations soar from classic tales, which never grow old.

I was delighted to learn that Sandra Boynton was partnering with Loud Crow Interactive to develop her first ever app in efforts of bringing her book’s to life via the iPhone and iPad. These efforts came to fruition recently with the launch of the Going to Bed Book app.

The Going to Bed Book Comes to Life:

The magic of Boynton was taken to a new level for myself, as well as my son, with the delightful interactivity of the app. You may tilt the iPhone or iPad, and the characters, as well as the environment responds, in harmony. You can witness the boat sway as the adorable cast waddles back and worth. And, by simply touching the screen, a variety of magical elements unfold. For example, as the cast is ready to “brush, and brush, and brush their teeth,” your child can turn on the water, which eventually causes steam to coat the screen, wherein your child has the pleasure of drawing  on, or wiping away the steam. Your child may also help the cast brush their teeth with a side to side swiping motion.

One of my favorite interactive elements of the Going to Bed  Book app is on the final page wherein by simply touching, you and your child can fill the sky with glowing stars. The enchanting “ding” sound when you carefully place your star was a lovely touch.

Book Narration :

When launching either the iPhone app or iPad app, you are presented with an option of selecting either “The Big Guy reads it” or you can read it yourself. I am grateful for this option, as unfortunately, this is one element that disappointed. The voice utilized as ‘The Big Guy” really did not translate well into the story, and I felt that the tone simply missed the mark.  However, on a positive note, I like to be involved, and this gives me all the reason more to read the story to my son, as I believe I should, and I so enjoy doing.

Overall, I was very pleased with the iPhone and iPad book adaptation. Yes, in future updates, I would like to see a variety of sound track options, as well as a variety of voices to choose from for narration, in case my son wishes to access the book when I am not available to read it, but overall, as a first effort, the iPhone app warrants the $1.99 price.

Going to Bed Book iPhone and iPad app [ iTunes Link ] requires iOS 3.2 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 

The iPhone app reviews rating: