Rounds: Franklin Frog

By Nosy Crow

Category: Books
Updated: Nov 07, 2012
Version: 1.0.2
Age range: 3 – 8 years
Languages: English

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later

Description

I was asked recently to do a review for Nosy Crow. I have to be honest – I had not heard of them – probably due to being reasonably new to the ipad world! So before anything, I looked on itunes, and their website. I immediately squealed and couldn’t wait to get started. I couldn’t choose which app to review, and left it in the hands of Nosy Crow to decide. That’s when they chose Rounds: Franklin Frog and that is how this review started!

I am like a little kid in a lolly shop! I couldn’t be more excited to do this review. My son is 4. He is curious and loves to learn. Hey! Who doesn’t right?

When we first sat down with the app, I immediately had a smile on my face. You initially greeted by the most friendly, happy frog! Franklin! He is interactive. You can make him hop, swim, catch bug, and entice a mate! … each time you touch his tummy he tells you a new interesting life-science fact.

As you progress through this interactive book, you bond with cute Franklin, and his off-spring! learning many new and interesting facts about the life of frogs and tadpoles. I am extremely happy to hear that they will be continuing this series with other animals.

Did you know that frogs crush their food to the top of their mouth? I didnt! Nor had i given much thought to the cycle of change from a tadpole to a frog. Franklin leads you through this “circle” until you meet his offspring, their offspring, their offspring and so on … My son played with the different frogs for more than an hour!!

The app is incredibly easy to use, and is therefore idea for children from 3 upwards. I dare say even a 12 year old would like it ! and that many parents would enjoy this app alongside the kids

There are no in-app purchases, but easy to use tabs to find out more about Nosy Crow apps – without going to the itunes store!

I found Rounds: Franklin Frog to be very attractive to the eye for young and old and the in-game prompts to turn the page, or click for a fact or movement, to be very handy for those who cant read yet.

This app can be played in two different modes. Read to me & Read myself therefore making it suitable for pre-schoolers, just learning to read, and confident readers.

This app was played by me (mummy) as well as my son 4(Aspergers) I will certainly be looking for more Apps by this developer. I am extremely excited to have found them! A big huge thank you to Nosy Crow for taking an interest in our children’s education and providing a fun new way to help them learn!!

Wishlist
I have no wishes! Other than for Nosy Crow to make an app-story about lighting/thunder and weather! As my son is hugely interested in these and as a mummy who hasn’t been in school for a few years, I have forgotten some of the basic and interesting life-science style facts!

This review was done on the iPad with the newest update available at the time. 30/11/2012By Justine Edwards

Appy Chat

When did you decide to develop this app?

Quite a long time ago now! This was the first app that we made that originally came to us as a submission, from a writer and illustrator husband and wife team, Emma and Barry Tranter – previously all of our apps had been written (and in some cases illustrated) in-house.

When did you first release this app?
August 2012.

How long did it take you to develop this app?
Once we had all of the artwork, it took around 6 months.

What is your favourite feature?
Tapping the female frog to make her lay frogspawn is a lot of fun!

What is your favourite page in the app?
I think the underwater scene – it’s full of rich detail, the artwork looks wonderful on an iPad, and the animation of Franklin swimming is very satisfying.

What skills were you hoping to help the end user to develop? (eg fine motor, reasoning, education – maths, reading, social)?
The main skills focuses of the app are related to the life science theme and reading – Rounds: Franklin Frog is filled with facts about frogs, life cycles, and amphibian biology. Literacy always plays a big part in our apps, and this one is no different – we want to find ways of making children enthusiastic about reading.

What age range would this app most suit?
It’s great for children aged 3 – 7, I think. We think very hard about what features we include in each app and how suitable they are for our intended age range. Older children can enjoy learning all about frogs, but we’ve ensured that the app is accessible for younger, pre-literate users as well – the interactions are intuitive, the animation and voicework are bright and friendly, and features like text highlighting are great for developing early literacy skills.

Are any new updates coming soon?
We don’t have any updates for Franklin Frog planned, but the second app in the series, Rounds: Parker Penguin, will be out very soon!

Want this app? of course the answer is Yes! Enter the draw for your chance to win one of three codes drawn THIS FRIDAY 7th December 2012 a Rafflecopter giveaway

****Code MUST be redeemed by Saturday 8th december****