Twinkle’s Little Stars Review

Twinkle’s Little Stars is a charming and quite beautiful interactive picture book for babies and toddlers. The use of this app could not be simpler as a tap anywhere on the page will play the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star note by note, also triggering the layering of images and creating wonderful details involving the day-to-day life of Twinkle the pig, friends and family. The number of details is captivating, creating a magical experience for babies, toddlers and also their adults. With details too numerous to mention and seen throughout each of these five scenes, I am incredibly impressed with the use of color, charming stylized images, and whimsical elements that are present.

As an adult I am mesmerized with the amount of hard work and obvious love that have gone into this app for young children. I am equally captivated with the sheer amount of layered elements included within so that this app will not get old in the eyes of parents as there is an incredible amount to gaze at. I see new details every time I test this application.

Five scenes are included, like Twinkle at home during breakfast time, allowing one to see the most minute details such as the elaborate breakfast spread and packages of food peeking from pantry walls. Note the neighborhood that is developed - first as a series of hills, then they are brought to life until Twinkle’s house is created around the family - an interesting point of view, to say the least. Decorative curtains blow from the open window in the kitchen and dirty dishes can be seen piled in the sink - just a few of the rich, ornate elements that are in each layer, flowing from the app as the page is tapped.

The school scene is equally fun with the school’s playground created before one’s eyes, leading to a school built in layers around animal characters. Next, Twinkle and friends play in a field that also takes shape with a series of taps, including thoughtful details of an Asian influence that I greatly enjoy. There is a delightful scene which takes place at bedtime as her family joins Twinkle on her bed, and the lights dim as a story is read - a charming visual about familial love that adults will be smitten with as much as their children. The last scene is a wonderful dream that Twinkle has that I appreciate a great deal - a peaceful space fantasy that children will find utterly relaxing, making this app a wonderful choice for bedtime.

Twinkle, other characters, and sometimes objects can be dragged slightly to bounce around the page as if attacked by a spring or moved around the page with a finger. Although this sort of interaction may be a distraction in another application, it works well here without over stimulation - nice details for children to discover. I also appreciate how although the same Twinkle Twinkle Little Star melody is played, each scene has its own distinctive sounds as well - lovely touches all will enjoy.

It is also endearing how to forward to the next scene: tap a little green bird seen sometimes in the top right corner of the page but that also may seen in other areas of this app as well - yet another lovely element that makes me smile. Do note that within the setting of one’s iPad, one can also customize this experience such as choosing what scene to start this app from or having the scenes change automatically.

The images from this app that I have included do not give this beautiful app justice, as there is magic to be seen with the layers of images combined together to form these illustrations. Twinkle’s Little Stars is a superb app for babies and toddlers. Although this app may not be one parents may purchase for older children, kids of all ages will enjoy exploring this app with their younger siblings, making this an app that I highly recommend.