Tabitha recently enjoyed going to see a stage production of the Jungle Book with her class, and on the back of that, she got well into the Disney version (spawning our family joke of singing ‘Claire’s Accessories’ to ‘Bear Necessities’ – I know, geniuses, we are). So when we heard about Electric Type’s Jungle Book for iPad launch, we thought it was worth a try for £3.49.
Our only other real experience of interactive iPad storybooks was the Heart and the Bottle, which Tabs still enjoys to this day. The Jungle Book is a bit more of a challenge: the vocabulary is harder; the text denser. Despite Electric Type’s trailer showing a small toddler enjoying the story, I think it’s really more suitable for age six and up, unless you’re prepared to do a bit of simplifying as you go along .
Having said that, the illustrations by Nigel Buchanan are lovely, and there are engaging things to do on each page. You can part the leaves of bushes, make monkeys swing or stoke up the fire. It’s basically one to read with your child, probably with plenty of explanation along the way – it does seem a lot more was asked of children in Rudyard Kipling’s day – and not one of those handy apps you can hand over and get half an hour’s peace. None the worse for that: it’s a fun experience for both parent and child.
You can download it at iTunes.
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