A Christmas Fairy Tale Review

A Christmas Fairy Tale is a nice and attractive interactive universal app with options that include having this story narrated, as well as being able to read to oneself; the automatic turning of pages is also an option.

A Christmas Fairy Tale is based on a traditional folk tale which has been updated, now lending itself well to include interactions which let the reader become part of the story. In this version, earlier on Christmas Eve, a cold-hearted prince, uninterested in love, is drawn to the “fairy well” where he swims and loses his ring after a long ride in the woods. Later that night, the ring is brought back in a very grand, Christmas-themed gesture which includes fairies bringing a Christmas tree to the palace which is then decorated in jewels. Sophie, the fairy queen, appears and offers the prince his ring back, but, instantly falling in love with Sophie, the prince proposes and she agrees, as long as he never utters the word “Death” around her. Unfortunately, many years later he does just that and Sophie disappears, again on Christmas Eve. After years of displaying a tree each Christmas Eve trying to call back his great love, the prince dies as well.

This app has some nice interactions which include helping the prince gallop on horseback, as well as tapping to help him swim in the well. One can help the fairies decorate the Christmas tree with jewels. Saving your completed tree is also an option. Once the word “death” is uttered, tap to see Sophie disappear. The illustrations are pretty to look at and have a nice use of color, especially appealing to children who enjoy fairy and princess-themed items. I like that hints to these interactions are given by way of stars that one’s taps, other information is included as well to help the reader find these interactive hot spots. This story is sad but not scary or overwhelming the way many classic fairytales can be. A moral is included about Christmas being about love, and I like the not so subtle message about not being able to take back the things one may say. I greatly appreciate the use of Pachelbel's Canon as the music selection chosen for the ending of this story, a very nice touch and my favorite part of this storybook.