 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
the Town Musicians of Bremen - Interactive eBook & Story Creator
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: $2.99
- Category: Books
Common Sense Media says
Interactive pages, puzzles allow almost endless exploration.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the Town Musicians of Bremen - Interactive eBook & Story Creator is a highly interactive adaptation of the classic story with some scary scenes. In the story, four animals who are too old and tired to feel wanted or useful decide to go to the town of Bremen to become musicians. On the way, they come across two thieves in a house full of food. The animals team up to scare the thieves away and eat the food, later biting and kicking a returning thief. The animals form a band upon reaching Bremen. The text is highlighted as it's narrated, and each page has several interactive elements. There are also creative matching puzzles throughout the book. In the My Story mode, kids can edit the story or create up to five original stories using animations from the Bremen story and typing in their own text. The narrated story can be enjoyed by younger kids, but navigating the tutorials and My Story mode is easier with decent reading skills.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to combine images and animations with their text to create a digital story with the Town Musicians of Bremen app. However, the story creator is difficult to navigate without good reading and fine motor skills, and the app does not provide kids with lessons or feedback on storytelling. In the reading mode, the characters work together and pursue a dream. The text is highlighted as it is narrated, and visual matching puzzles appear every few pages. Young kids will need a lot of help from a grown-up to get the most out of the Town Musicians of Bremen.
Skills
- Collaborationmeeting challenges together
- Communicationmultiple forms of expression
- Creativityimagination, producing new content
- Emotional Developmentmoving beyond obstacles
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skillsdigital creation
- Thinking & Reasoningsolving puzzles
What's it about?
The Town Musicians of Bremen follows four animals who leave their homes to become musicians. While listening to the narrated story, kids can tap to reveal visual and sound animations. Every few pages, kids solve puzzles by matching or sliding pieces into place, sometimes shaking the device to scramble the pieces. In a story creator mode, kids can edit the main story or create five new stories. Kids tap to make a command ring appear, then choose "object' to select an image or animation from the book. Kids can also add text using the keyboard.
Is it any good?
Kids with a knack for exploring will enjoy this interactive adaptation of the classic (though occasionally scary) story. Flitting fireflies, shooting stars, and silly sound effects bring this story to life, all culminating in a cacophonous celebration when the four musicians fulfill their dreams. Even a few typos scattered throughout the text can't spoil the party. Then, kids can channel all of that creative energy into creating their own stories -- a wonderful activity to do together to guide kids through the process.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to combine images and animations with their text to create a digital story with the Town Musicians of Bremen app. However, the story creator is difficult to navigate without good reading and fine motor skills, and the app does not provide kids with lessons or feedback on storytelling. In the reading mode, the characters work together and pursue a dream. The text is highlighted as it is narrated, and visual matching puzzles appear every few pages. Young kids will need a lot of help from a grown-up to get the most out of the Town Musicians of Bremen.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: reading, storytelling, writing
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration: meeting challenges together
- Communication: multiple forms of expression
- Creativity: imagination, producing new content
- Emotional Development: moving beyond obstacles
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills: digital creation
- Thinking & Reasoning: solving puzzles
How kids will learn
The Town Musicians of Bremen empowers kids to explore its pages to find the fun interactive animations hidden there. Although the app's story creator has a good tutorial, because of the amount of reading and fine motor skills required, young kids will need a lot help to use all the features here.
How parents can help
- Demonstrate how to use the story creator. Once kids create their story, have them share it with you. Be an engaged audience, and ask questions about the story.
- Discuss the characters' roles and emphasize their teamwork and friendship.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Old people
I'm an educator and it is very good to talk about old people, how we treat them.
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| Category: | Books |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | $2.99 |
| Size: | 159.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Centum Interactive Co., Ltd. |
| Version: | 1.5.2 |
| Release date: | June 29, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 3.2 or later |
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