Tacky's Christmas

Christmas has come to Nice Icy Land, where Tacky and his penguin friends are gearing up for a cheer-filled holiday … until a hunting gang arrives! Kids will love following this silly feathered friend as he saves the holiday—and his pals.

Boasting both “Read to Me” and “Read it Myself” options, this beautifully illustrated storybook comes to life on the smart screen. The “Auto Play” option that’s available turns this eBook into a movie-like experience; to keep it educational for younger kids, encourage them to tap items onscreen to help develop object/word association skills. The narrator’s boisterous voices and a visual word reinforcement of items children tap on somewhat make up for the lack of interactive elements—but an update that adds hidden virtual surprises would really make this app perfectly suited to kids in today’s wired world. However, the original artwork stands the test of time, and the sweet message—celebrating Tacky’s standout personality as a loveable oddball—will never go out of style.

Tacky’s Christmas is the perfect app to visit for learning outside the classroom as the snow begins to fall and fire roars—an excellent addition to any first grader’s interactive library.