Moon and Sun - children's book Review
iPad App
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Moon and Sun - children's book Review

Our Review by Amy Solomon on September 30th, 2014
Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar ::
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Moon and Sun is a fable-like children's book with lush illustrations.

Developer: Marcio Monteiro
Price: $3.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPad 3

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Storytelling/Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Intuitiveness Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Moon and Sun - children's book, as the name may suggest, is a serene children's storybook that adults will be eager to share with their young children. It was early on within the testing of this app that I knew this was something a little bit special as it introduces the moon and the sun as children who feel lonely and would benefit from each other’s friendship. The imagery of the moon child - a girl styled in white and blue whom children meet with the tap of a moon illustration - is a very nice moment. Likewise when the sun - a boy of orange and yellow - is introduced after touching the sun drawing on the next page.

After climbing down from the sky, the moon girl and the sun boy meet and begin a lifelong relationship. Moon and Sun is a simple and sweet tale that reads much like a classic fable that both children and adults will find lovely and memorable as this story goes on to explain the origin of stars and clouds. Although the text of this app can be a little wordy at times - poetic if not leaning towards a little cumbersome and possibly due to being translated into English - this is the simple story of friendship as an overall theme that is easy to follow for children of all ages.

The illustrations are lush, with bright and bold colors that look beautiful on the backlit screen of the iPad. Music is also used throughout this app and is equally well chosen; it's upbeat but relaxing if not slightly moving at times and always very pleasing to listen to. Quietly dynamic, these pages include texture and shading in what I presume are hand-painted illustrations, as well as a nice use of movement to catch the attention of young people. Simple yet effective interactions are included that children will enjoy without ever overwhelming the experience, making this a lovely app for bedtime.

English, French, and Portuguese translations of Moon and Sun are included, which I appreciate, but I do find it a disappointment that when the narration is muted the included music and musical sound effects found on a later page are also silenced. It would be nice if the music were controlled independently, allowing children to enjoy these elements as they read this book to themselves. It is also worth pointing out that although I have enjoyed testing Moon and Sun, I do find the price, currently $3.99, to be a little expensive when comparing the different functions and features commonly seen in other children’s apps at this price point.

Having said this, there is certainly a lot of polish included within Moon and Sun, making it an app to recommend.

iPad Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Moon and Sun - children's book screenshot 1 Moon and Sun - children's book screenshot 2 Moon and Sun - children's book screenshot 3 Moon and Sun - children's book screenshot 4 Moon and Sun - children's book screenshot 5
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