Hazy Dell HD Review

Hazy Dell HD is a storybook for iPad which is creepily-themed, about a group of ghouls causing mischief as they travel through a town on their way to visit a child as she sleeps. Although Halloween has passed, the quality of this book transcends this holiday and can be enjoyed at any time of year for the right child. A version of this app is also available for iPhone, as well as a lite version for both devices.

The production value of this story is very high, and I am really impressed with the sound and quality of the narrator’s voice, the well done sound effects, as well as the story itself which has as a Dr. Seussian rhyme, all of which make me think of Boris Karloff’s telling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas or the Vincent Price narration of The Raven. The illustrations included are also very well done, which are both fun and cartoony, as well as the nice use of bold colors tone down how creepy this story could come across, making it a family friendly app.

Personally, I don’t think this story is too scary for young children, but parents need to be aware that for young children already scared of things that go bump in the night, or for children who take things literally, this may not be the story for you, as it could come across as a home invasion as one sleeps. If these are not your concerns, and your children enjoy a good story with a scaryish theme, this would be a great choice. I like that the sound effects and the narration can be turned off independently of each other so one can hear the effects when reading it to oneself or to children. I know I would have been all over this as a child.

I truly enjoyed this app, and I think other children and adults will as well, unless nightmares are an issue. All in all, a great experience. I hope Tangorang Labs comes up with more story book apps. I can’t wait to read them.