Review: Planet Earth HD -Interactive book about science, geography and animals.

 

 

 

Bottom Line: This is a nicely made book app that really dives into the science of our planet with beautiful illustrations, professional narration and interactive elements that compliment the text.

 If you would like to download this app, please support Smart Apps for Kids by using the link we have provided below:

iPad ($2.99)

 

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This app has no ads, no in-app purchases and no external links.

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Planet Earth HD opens to a home screen where users can decide to have the app read to them or read to self. The top of the screen has a drop-down menu with options to turn off music, background sounds and narration as well as page selection. The book contains twenty pages that explain everything about the earth from where it lives in space and the geography of the planet to the diversity of life that lives here.

Each page takes about two paragraphs to explain a part of the planet and an interactive illustration. For example, while explaining the atmosphere, the illustration shows the layers of the atmosphere with each name (exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere) and within each layer, the illustration has things that are typically scene in those layers such as astronauts and satellites to birds and hot air balloons. By tapping on the subjects of interest, things move or light up to reinforce the text. The illustrations are colorful, clear and attractive.

The interactive elements are really well done for a science book for kids. I enjoyed seeing a developer utilize that effectively by turning illustrations into learning zones. I also applaud the developer for making sure there were no ads, no in-app purchases and no external links. I found no bugs while tinkering with the app. In future versions, I would love to see some pop-ups for words that are bold in the pages that have either more definitions or examples to help younger children with their understanding. 

 It's also worth noting that this book and others are also available within the KidBook app by the same developer. The KidBook App is free and compatible with iPad.

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Cynthia is a stay-at-home Mom to three kiddos who love science and technology.