The Little Engine That Could by OnceUponAnApp Review

The Little Engine That Could by OnceUponAnApp is a nice story book application for iPad based on the classic children’s book of the same name, but not connected to Penguin's official app of this story. Although extras are included, this book is primarily a story book with bright colors, illustration and animations reminiscent of the original book and includes lovely narration and music which is especially well-done, adding a lot of richness to this beloved tale.

This app, although abridged, is a faithful adaptation of the classic children’s book written in 1930 about a train filled with toys and other fun things for children on the other side of a large mountain which the train needs to cross over to in order to deliver its cargo. Soon the train pulling these cars breaks down and needs the aid of another engine that is willing and able to pull the freight. Sadly, many trains refuse, being either unwilling or unable to do so, until a small and inexperienced, yet a very kind train, the “little engine,” comes across this problem and is willing to help. With the use of the positive affirmation, “I think I can, I think I can,” the Little Engine makes her way over the mountain to the children waiting for her.

Updated for the iPad, this application includes both a video to watch of the story as well as a book to follow along with as a narrator reads. The narration is very good in each of these sections, as are the images used throughout the book section. I found the animation used in the video to be a bit choppy, yet still enjoyable to watch and I do like how each of the trains met has a personality and voice all their own and as varied as people kids will meet in the real world, as many of these trains are not helpful, a lesson children need to learn at some point sooner or later. A nice use of different voices for each individual train within the video section further showcases these differences, moments I appreciate. I did however, miss the use of music heard in the video but not used in the book section, unfortunate as this music added to the experience found in the video.

A section of activities has also been included, with a connect-the-dots section and coloring pages. Some simple puzzles are offered as well, letting players build a train or load a train with the various toys and other cargo found in this story, and it is nice that the hints are offered within these puzzles. A “Play with the Engine” area is also included, allowing children to choose a specific train from the story to become animated and move on the tracks. These actives are pleasant, yet may only appeal to the youngest players who have not yet mastered the skills worked on here, as the puzzle sections, coloring pages and connect-the-dot sections are on the simplistic side, and the “Play with the Engine” area has less interaction than I had hoped.

With these issues aside, this is a nice re-telling of this classic story, with very good narration and music making this ebook worth looking into.