iPad App Review - David and Goliath

~ Posted on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 8:04 AM ~

I had earlier reviewed "The House That Went On Strike" and after noticing my almost 4 years old boy getting hooked to listening and watching the story app over and over and over again, I decided to check out what other apps were developed by the same developer (I always do this when my kids like the apps on my iPad) and then I found this awesome app. Without even an ounce of shame (really!) I decided to ask the developer whether I could possibly review this app and to my delight, they send me a promo code to review it! Without further ado, here goes my feedback...

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* Title: David and Goliath
* Price: $4.99
* Category: Books
* Updated: Mar 27, 2012
* Version: 1.4
* Size: 204 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Jumping Pages Inc.
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.1 or later.

Description from the product page:

"Jumping Pages’ David & Goliath app is filled with stirring 3D animation and engaging interactivity that brings to life David and Goliath’s epic battle. The reader immerses themselves in the story through dozens of activities, including catapulting flaming projectiles, defeating a lion and a bear, taking aim at Goliath, and joyfully tossing David in the air after his victory."

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* I love this app! It is engaging and interactive! There are some objects on each pages which allows us to touch and then see the animations of it!

* I particularly enjoyed the page shown below. It kinda depicts how the battle goes on long long time ago and to be honest, my boy and I spent quite a long time just on this page, each of us taking one side and battle over each other hahaha... it was fun! I also used the opportunity to teach my boy the types of weaponry used during battles and wars.

* Prior to using this app, I have read from the bible and even showed some cartoons on David and Goliath but I think this app is the one leaving a lasting impression because it is so realistic and the animations in this story app just add on to the exhilaration and the fighting spirit.

* I love seeing my boy's face turning into amazement and wonders as he listens and watches through the storyline. How little David is compared to the giant Goliath. How David braves on to fight Goliath with God on his side.

* I have always reminded my boy whenever he is scared of something that 'God will protect you, don't be scared. Remember how David can fight Goliath? It's because God protects him!' and I have the opportunity to hear my almost 4 years old boy telling me 'Mummy, I'm not scared. God protect me like how He protects David when he fights with Goliath!'. My boy uttered this the first time he sat on the toilet seat to poop. He has always been afraid of sitting on the toilet seat (he told me he's scared of falling into the hole) and I'm very happy to be able to witness his milestone and that he relates it to David and Goliath when he overcame his fear of toilet seat. I'm forever grateful to be able to review this app!

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You can purchase the "David and Goliath" app from the iTunes App Store.

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I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

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Product Review - Maximus Musicus Visits the Orchestra

~ Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:39 AM ~

I was wondering where should I categorise this post review on, book or music or what and finally decided to put it under 'Product Review' for my post title. The reason is because this book also came with the accompanying CD that tells the storyline with wonderful music and instruments in the background. Now I do not have any background or experience in musical field, so the reason why I decided to review this is because I want my 2 kiddos to learn and appreciate music. How sounds are made, how songs are composed and how different instruments can create wonderful tunes and songs.

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Description from the product page:
"In the best-selling and award-winning book Maximus Musicus Visits the Orchestra, Iceland’s best-loved mouse discovers the wonders of music and the symphony orchestra in his own joyful and charming manner.

The book, by Hallfrídur Ólafsdóttir and Þórarinn Már Baldursson, of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, tells the tale of the mouse, Maximus Musicus, who by chance finds himself in a concert hall. What an interesting and adventurous turn his life has suddenly taken! Maxi enjoys himself so much that he decides to stay in the concert hall and see what happens the next day. There he experiences many strange and funny events as well as some wonderful and moving sounds as the orchestral musicians warm up, tune their instruments, rehearse, and finally play the pieces in concert.

The book is illustrated with Þórarinn Már Baldursson’s endearing images and accompanied by an audio CD featuring Stella Arman’s warm and humorous narration, together with music carefully chosen to suit the young audience: Ravel’s Bolero, a Fanfare and some galloping encores as well as Maxi’s own catchy song."

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The red colored hardcover book has a total of 40 pages, about 8.5 inches X 10.5 inches X 0.375 inches, and includes an accompanying audio CD where the storyline is narrated by Stella Arman with beautiful and captivating music and sounds as the background.

I used the opportunity to teach my kiddos the many types of musical instruments and I found myself learning too as there are some musical instruments which I have never seen or heard before too!

My 16 months old girl is especially captivated on the cute illustrated Maximus and keeps on pointing at it to me as I go through the storyline with her. My almost 4 years old boy on the other hand is more interested in looking at the various types of musical instruments and listening to the sounds each instruments made.

The music and storytelling is perfect for my 2 kiddos who love fun, groovy and exciting tunes now! A wonderful book that will delight and educate your child, even yourself!

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You can get this book from Music Word Media website.

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I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the product in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

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iPad App Review - Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek

~ Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 7:34 AM ~

We have a couple of Five Little Monkeys apps on my iPad and the latest one that my almost 4 years old boy still loves to read and listen to is of course the "Five Little Monkeys Collection #1" app. So when I received an email pitch on this app, I immediately requested to review it. Without further ado, here goes my feedback...

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* Title: Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek
* Price: $1.99
* Category: Books
* Released: Jan 16, 2013
* Version: 2.1
* Size: 24.1 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Oceanhouse Media, Inc.
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.

Description from the product page:

"Mama's out dancing and Lulu is in charge of the Five Little Monkeys. It's bedtime for the rambunctious monkeys, but they persuade Lulu to play hide-and-seek. "Just one game," says Lulu. "Then it's right off to bed. Your bedtime's at eight. That's what your mama said." But there's always time for one more game! Join the Five Little Monkeys as they find the perfect hiding place where even their babysitter can't find them!"

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* It is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects in each page on the screen and the words pop out to tell you what it is!

* I like the storyline where it tells how the Lulu the babysitter plays hide and seek with the 5 little monkeys before their bedtime and was pleasantly surprised at the cute and surprise ending of the story.

* I have just started teaching my boy counting from 11 to 20 about 2 weeks ago and am particularly enjoying this page below where Lulu counted from 1 to 24:

* I used the opportunity in this story app to reinforce the number counting (1 to 20 for now) to my 4 years old boy and also reminded him that when it is time to sleep, we must be serious and stick to bedtime and not be playful anymore.

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You can purchase the "Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek" app from the iTunes App Store.

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I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

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