Flip Flap Pets | Touch and Go

Axel Scheffler and a flip book all in one? Elisabeth LeBris reviews the author’s latest digital product below.

All the fun that split-page books offer young readers and listeners is present in Nosy Crow’s Axel Scheffler’s Flip Flap Pets (iOS, $.99; PreS-Gr 1). Fourth in the “Flip Flap” series, Pets follows in the footsteps of Jungle, Farm, and Safari. Author/illustrator Scheffler, well known for his funny google-eyed creatures in The Gruffalo, creates a cast of animals sure to make viewers laugh. Here, 11 common pets have the potential of morphing into 121 possible silly combinations. Accompanying each two-part creature in vibrant colors is a dual rhyme offering details about it. A clean graphic interface makes this app ideal for young users.

There are two reading modes; “Read and Play” includes excellent sound quality narration by a expressive reader and is accompanied by jaunty music. “Read By Myself” retains the background music. This British product includes some pet monikers that might be unfamiliar to American kids at first, such as budgerigar for parakeet. Also, chances are not many children keep stick insects as pets, but these are quibbles. A “Grown-Ups” button offers tips, links to the Nosy Crow, and a brief bio of the creator.

App gaming additions such as puzzles, pop-ups, or hidden surprises are not present here. This is a straightforward reworking of the actual book (Nosy Crow, 2016). A trailer is available. VERDICT A tried-and-true print favorite gets an engaging digital update.—Elisabeth LeBris, Sears School, Kenilworth, IL

Screen from Axel Scheffler’s Flip Flap Pets (Nosy Crow) Axel Scheffler