OnceAppon - A good night story maker for kids
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The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that OnceAppon – A good night story maker for kids is a digital learning tool that kids can use to create their own avatars and stories. Kids will love creating the avatars, which have many customizable options for body features and clothing. When they create their stories, kids can choose their avatar as the "hero." A narrator guides kids through the process, and once they're finished, kids can read or listen to their story, which has an overall bedtime theme. Kids also can record their own voices telling the story and then play it back. Despite the many options kids get to choose, the basic story is always the same, which may be disappointing for some kids. There is a parents' section with information about the developers and the app's contributors, but two voices speak at once in different languages, and there is no guidance or advice for parents.
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What's it about?
Kids can choose from two main options: Avatar or Book. In Avatar mode, kids create custom avatars that they can use as the main characters in their stories. Customizable options include body features such as hairstyle and color, eye shape and color, nose shape, and more. There also are plenty of clothing options, including styles and colors for shirts, pants, shoes, and accessories. Kids name and save their avatars when they're finished. In Book mode, kids create their own stories using a template that allows them to select certain features and a main story line. For example, kids start by selecting a hero (one of the avatars) and then the hero's preferences for snacks, a costume, party accessories, a game, a ball sport, and a toy. Then, kids choose from four story themes more options within that theme. When they're finished, kids can save and then read the story, have it read by a narrator, or record their own voice reading it and then play story back.
Is it any good?
ONCEAPPON – A GOOD NIGHT STORY MAKER FOR KIDS is a fun and empowering way for kids to create their own storybooks -- at first. Designing the avatars, and then using them in the stories, is a clever way to engage kids in the process. The graphics are bright and colorful, and several of them are interactive on each story page. Although there are many customizable options, the overall plot is the same no matter which options kids choose. Some more variety and a bit of basic instruction about story elements could keep kids interested for longer. Allowing kids to combine the elements into a story of their own invention also would give it a longer shelf life.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the five main elements of stories and how they relate to the stories that kids create. Talk about the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict, and the resolution.
Help kids write their own illustrated stories from scratch. Have younger kids draw pictures to tell their stories.
App details
- Device: iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: reading, storytelling
- Skills: Creativity: imagination
Communication: speaking - Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: October 30, 2014
- Category: Education
- Size: 665.00 MB
- Publisher: OnceAppon
- Version: 1.0.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 5.1.1 or later
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love storytelling and digital creation
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.