Kidoodle: Pirate Scribblebeard's Treasure has three specific features that make the app really stand out from the myriad of drawing apps in the iTunes store.
First, it gives the child a head start and task. For example, on the first page it says "Ahoy! I'm pirate Josephine and I need two burly pirates for my crew" and the template has shoes, a hat and a sword. The rest must be filled in by the child. I really prefer that than an app just presenting a blank page and essentially saying "draw" (especially for younger and special needs children.)
Second, when the child finishes their illustration and presses the button to go to the next page, the app has an animation for each. On page three for instance, when the child is asked to draw a meal for the pirates, what they draw disappears bite by bite and they can hear it being eaten by hungry pirates. Great stuff.
Third, the app has a great sense of humor. On one page, the pirate says "Shiver me timbers, that be a scary sea monster!" and the child is presented with the outline of a banana, so it's their job to turn a banana into a scary sea monster.
The artwork in Pirate Scribblebeard is engaging and unique. There are 16 screens in the app now and the developer (Kidoodle Apps) is planning to add additional pages for free in future updates. The overall interface, with small buttons for saving, sharing, moving back and forth and returning to the home screen, is easy and clean, as is the drawing mechanism: a palette with eight colors, two brush sizes and an eraser. There are visual and well as audio tutorials.
All three of my kids, including the 10-year old, really enjoyed Kidoodle: Pirate Scribblebeard's Treasure, and I've even selected toddler as a possible age group for this app because I think toddlers would enjoy watching it and doing what they are capable of. So, there's a wide range of appeal here. Strongly recommended!
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If you would like to purchase Kidoodle: Pirate Scribblebeard's Treasure with Oscar & Josephine please use the links provided. The cost is the same, but Smart Apps receives a small percentage. Thanks for your support!
iPad/iPhone ($2.99): U.S. Canada U.K. Australia

Hi there all, thanks for liking and tweeting and +ing this review, it is very exciting! Just a note, the app is HALF-OFF today through monday, please check it out! It's only $1.99! thanks!
Posted by: Kidoodleapps | 09/14/2011 at 12:02 PM