Metamorphabet

PreS-Gr 2—Fluid animation combines with imaginative word pairings in an alphabet app that offers abundant visual and poetic appeal. Touching a featured letter transforms it into a blocklike, 3-D sculptural form. With a few more taps, the shape begins morphing into images representing words starting with that same letter. A beard pops out of the bottom of the letter B, followed by a beak. When the beak opens, out flies a swarm of bugs. Printed words help reinforce the concepts, and users can tap the words to hear them voiced. Sound effects (cymbals, horns, birds chirping, etc.) enhance the presentations. Warm humor and surprises create the perfect tone.The clear narration and intuitive navigation will allow young children to use the app independently. However, vocabulary choices (knight, kaleidoscope, tongue, etc.) indicate that this app might not be the first choice for developing early reading skills. Seek Metamorphabet for its bold artwork, fluid design, and playfulness—it's a delight at every turn.—Mary Ann Scheuer, Emerson School, Berkeley, CA