Thumbelina for the iPad Review

Thumbelina for the iPad is the highly anticipated interactive storybook app from the developers at Touchoo and is based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about Thumbelina and her adventures, meeting interesting creatures along the way.

Each page is interactive, beautifully drawn and a lot of fun. My son is intrigued with my ability to personalize the book with his name, and I think that it is wonderful that Spanish, Japanese, French, and German versions are also included. You can also make your own recording if you choose or turn the narration off completely. A “tips” mode showing the reader where to tap is also an option. A version of this story is also available for use on iPhone and iPod Touch.

I really like the fact that many of these interactions are empathy-based, showing concern for the characters instead of random sounds or movements, but I do wish my son could participate in some of these interactions over and over again, like covering Miss Swallow with a blanket. Right now, I toggle back and forth between pages to make this possible. We love the ambient sounds used among these pages as well, giving the story real mood and dimension, not just for kids but for adults as well.

Serious Andersen fans, please don’t expect a thorough re-telling of the original story, but you will be pleased with how the characters, plot points, and details are woven into this new interactive experience.