Papa’s Boy Review

Papa’s Boy is a charming universal storybook app which focuses on the relationship between a papa mouse and his son, taking place in a toy store as this family lives in the leg of a grand piano which is in the store. Papa mouse is an ex boxer turned piano tuner who wishes his son would enter the boxing ring as well, instead of being a ballet dancer. Later, a cat tries to catch papa, but papa's boxing moves do not faze this feline. Could the son’s dancing help this father escape from this cat?

My son and I have enjoyed this app. The illustrations are wonderful, as is the animation included which is used here sparingly, so it really pops when incorporated into the scene. The narration is very good, but one can also read this book to oneself. It would be nice that when the narration is off, the sound effects and music could still be heard as they bring more life to this lovely story.

I have enjoyed seeing how the relationship between father and son develops. Although I was not a fan in the beginning of the father being disappointed in the son’s choice of ballet over boxing, there is a very nice moment in the end where the father comes around, bringing them closer as a family which I like a great deal. I also loved to watch son mouse dance, as the the music, illustrations and animated moments all works together quite well, creating a lovely moment in this storybook.

I have really appreciated the world that has been created for these characters, especially the mouse home made in the piano leg and the relationships of these characters. I would love to see more about this mouse family in the future.