This week in children's apps features Alligator at Saw Grass Road, a Smithsonian app about how dangerous life is for an alligator's young. Also this week is Acoustic Rooster, an app that lets children create their own music whlie learning about jazz music through a barnyard tale.
Title: Alligator at Saw Grass Road
Publisher: Oceanhouse Media
Release date: July 24, 2012
Price: $1.99
Background: This app takes children on an adventure through the dangerous life of an alligator and her young. While Alligator is hunting for food, a red-bellied turtle climbs into the nest to lay eggs. Will Alligator discover the turtle eggs?
Features: Reviewed by the Smithsonian for accuracy, individual words are highlighted as the story is read and words zoom up when pictures are touched, read to me, read it myself, and auto play modes.
Title: Acoustic Rooster
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Release date: July 30, 2012
Price: $4.99
Background: When jazz-loving Acoustic Rooster sets his sights on winning a barnyard talent show, he realizes he can't do it alone. He's up against the talents of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald. Rooster calls on pianist Duck Ellington and singer Bee Holiday to create his own barnyard band. And while they may not win first prize, Acoustic Rooster realizes he has the world's best jazz band and that's all that matters.
Features: Jazz term glossary, musician biographies, jazz timeline, create your own music with touch and play onscreen piano keys, record and replay your own voice with onscreen microphone.
