Weirdwood Manor
Parents say
Based on 2 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Weirdwood Manor
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Weirdwood Manor is an interactive fantasy storybook that follows three remarkable children as they're invited to the home of a mysterious benefactor. One character has been removed from several foster families after mysterious things have happened to him; adoptive and foster families may want to think carefully about whether the themes will be upsetting or reassuring to their children. Since each additional chapter costs another $2.99 and the premium package is $8.99, parents will need to decide how much to invest ahead of time. Read the app's privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared.
Community Reviews
More books out!
Report this review
Great read! Lots of fun!
Report this review
What’s It About?
WEIRDWOOD MANOR is a digital storybook that follows three children -- Oliver, Celia, and Eugene -- with remarkable abilities as they journey to the home of the reclusive and mysterious Arthur Weirdwood and experience a series of adventures along the way. Kids can read with or without audio guidance, and each screen features clickable, interactive features that let kids peel back the pages of the story, unlocking clues, solving puzzles, and collecting information for their digital notebooks. The notebook and some on-screen clues measure your progress through the book, and they help you track how many hidden items you've discovered as you read. Since the books take up some space, you can choose to download them to your device one at a time and restore previous purchases later on, if you like.
Is It Any Good?
A cross between Harry Potter and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, this ebook puzzler is a unique, enchanting experience. Though it's part ebook, it also feels like a highly replayable game in that kids can reach the end of a chapter and discover that there's still more to unlock. It's sometimes difficult to find the hidden objects and puzzles in the pages, but kids can go back and try again if they miss some. Keep in mind that some of these themes and images might be upsetting to some kids. In only the first few pages, Oliver reveals that he's about to be sent away from yet another foster family, and he's threatened by a very scary dragon. Although friendship and embracing uniqueness are at the story's core, there's some sadness and frustration along the way that might make this app a great fit for families reading and playing together. Regardless, these top-notch visuals and strong story make this storybook a worthy and wonderful addition to your digital library.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about all the different types of media to read. How is it different to read a digital, interactive book such as this one rather than a traditional book? What are the pros and cons of each?
Oliver, Celia, and Eugene all have special gifts that make them different. Talk about how it's important to celebrate the things you're good at.
Some of the themes in this story might be unfamiliar or new to some kids, such as Oliver's life with his foster families. If this theme is something that might be sensitive for your kids, read it first. Then, reassure your child that Oliver's story is fantasy, not real life.
App Details
- Device: iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: reading comprehension
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: problem solving, solving puzzles, thinking critically
- Pricing structure: Paid (additional chapters are $2.99 each)
- Release date: May 2, 2016
- Category: Books
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Robots
- Publisher: All Play No Work Inc.
- Version: 1.3.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated: October 23, 2019
Our Editors Recommend
-
Unwanted Guest
Powerful story told with brilliant animation and narration.
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.
See how we rate