Family App Review: Dr. Seuss's ABC

So, you’ve got your iPad and you’re not sure if it’s a must-have or just another thing that demands a cord.  Or perhaps you have an iPhone and aren't sure what apps are worth having and which are a waste of precious memory space.

Cicero famously said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Similarly an Apple products without good apps are like a meal without a fork.  You can appreciate them, but you can’t really dig in and experience them fully.

We’re here to help.

SixSeeds is beginning a new series during which we'll tell you about the best family applications for the iPhone and iPad.  The new iPad apps capitalize on its flexibility and larger size allowing more interactivity, but the iPhone apps usually work on their new counterparts. 

There are many apps vying for your attention, but SixSeeds is here to bring you the best ones available for families:

Dr. Seuss’s ABC

What It Does: Who doesn’t remember sitting on their mom’s lap and first hearing about the horrifying Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz?  Well, Dr. Seuss has taken a step into the modern age with a new app to bring that magic you felt on your mom’s lap to your iPad. Teach your little ones the alphabet through hilariously strange words and pictures, in a format a little more interactive than a book.

This e-book is narrated by a pleasant female voice, and also has background audio and enlarged artwork for each scene.  (For example, you can tap the picture of Aunt Annie -- riding that alligator – and the narrator will say “Aunt Annie” as the word zooms up.  Presumably, this will help your readers learn the words.) Parents, don’t worry -- the original text and artwork of Dr. Seuss is still all there, but the features entertain and promote reading.

For which Apple products? The beloved classic "Dr. Seuss's ABC" is now available for your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  (We bought the iPad version, which is hi-res and visually attractive. Oceanhouse Media has faithfully reproduced the beauty of the original, and the results are gorgeous!)

Features:
"Read to Me" — Your children can listen to the story as the playful words are highlighted.  (You turn the pages by swishing your finger over the page.)
"Read it Myself" — Read the book in its traditional form. (Again, you turn the pages by swishing your finger over the page.)
"Auto Play" — Like a movie, this e-book is read by the pleasant narrator and the pages turn automatically.

Price: $2.99, available through the Apple App Store or iTunes

Our Rating: 5 out of 6 Seeds