Goodnight Moon

PreS-K—On the opening screen Brown's classic title appears against pastel bed covers, a plush stuffed rabbit, and some not-too-subtle advertising for add-on purchases. A tap to the jacket and the book opens as the background becomes a deep-blue sky filled with twinkling stars. A double-page spread of the story covers only half the screen, so images and text are somewhat reduced in size.The digital version retains the rich palette of Clement Hurd's original illustrations, and there are loads of enchanting animations, sound effects, and interactive elements: flickering flames in the bedroom fireplace, a cow that jumps over the moon, stars that dissolve on touch, and the opportunity to inscribe the book with child's name and/or photo. But there are also features and games that may not be intuitive, or of interest to kids: a mouse hunt, a sticker collection (more for purchase), and a spy glass that enlarges only a small portion of an image or the text while obscuring the rest of it.The narration is evenly paced and soothing, and a gentle piano tune plays throughout (the volume is adjustable). To advance the text, a long swipe is best; a short one may trigger more interactivity, which can frustrate children.Parents are likely to be turned off by the add-ons (though the pitch can be locked down), but kids who love this story will enjoy viewing it with animation. While the interactivity will engage them, the extras are just that.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal