YMCA Reads!
Reading Skills
Ideal for: Pre-reading
What is it? An app to teach basic reading skills to children learning how to read – including those learning English as a second language. Through games and a focus on segmenting and blending, the app helps children develop basic phonetic awareness and pre-reading skills. The app has a built-in feature to encourage readings skills, rather than dependence on pictures.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.
Reviews: Teachers call this a good app to teach reading skills, as it covers some reading skills “that most parents don’t even know about.” They like that children are encouraged to develop the skills without relying on pictures or memorization. One reviewer noted that the app pre-supposes that users have already learned the letters of the alphabet, which buyers may need to consider.
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? This app helps beginning readers develop their reading skills. It has 160 flash cards, which test phonics, sounding out, sight words and sentences. A special section, “Tips for Parents,” offers advice on how to use the program as a tool.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: This app is “extremely helpful in teaching phonics” but has some limitations, according to several users. The audio’s accent is British, which may be difficult for American English learners to understand. Another user says that the visuals and sentences presented are not interesting to keep children engaged.
Ideal for: Pre-reading
What is it? Targeting preschoolers and children who have not yet learned how to read, this app uses games and positive reinforcement to teach early development skills. Games include letter tracings, sequencing, mazes and nursery rhymes (a recording feature lets the kids tape themselves and play it back); voice prompts help children learn the games. They earn happy faces and stars for correct answers!
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.2 or later.
Reviews: Reviewers like the variety of games offered. One user writes that“[t]here’s not much associated with pre-school age knowledge that this app doesn’t cover!”
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? This app teaches reading skills along with colors, numbers and objects.The story follows Josh and Emma, who ask the reader questions such as, “What’s next to the big rock?” As the narrator follows aloud, the reader answers by selecting the object and quantity of his or her choice.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.
Reviews: No reviews are available at this time.
K12 Timed Reading Practice Lite
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This app works with children’s reading skills to improve reading fluency. The app has 25 stories (targeting children in grade K-4) and 10 difficulty levels. The stories are a mix of fiction and non-fiction, and are timed to track students’ reading progress and words per minute. The full version is $1.99 and contains more than 250 stories and 46 difficulty levels.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.
Reviews: Overall, parents and teachers like the app, but a few users feel that “reading is about more than rate.” Reading comprehension is not tested by the app, which several users consider a negative point.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? A word game in which users fill in the blanks of a story with the words of their choosing. This free version comes with four stories under the theme of “Vacation.” An email option lets the users share stories with others.
How much is it? Free (additional stories are available on iTunes and are $3.99 per “book” of 20 or more).
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Users find the app “entertaining” and a good use of time for students when they have extra time in class!
Reading for Kids: 100 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Read
Ideal for: Parents and educators
What is it? This app is for parents, featuring 100 tips for getting children to read.Ideas include letting kids make their own bookmarks, or leaving newspapers out where kids can see them.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.
Reviews: Reviewers say that Reading for Kids has “great suggestions” that “get people excited about reading.” Another reviewer adds that the suggestions are perfect to help parents who “have too much to think about.”
Read Me Stories 30 Book Library
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This app features 30 books for children, complete with music and sounds. The books feature words and concepts to help children improve their reading skills.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Parents say that their children like the books, especially the images and sounds. A mother writes that her son, who normally finds children’s books “babyish,” really enjoys the books featured in this app.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? An app that tests and develops early reading skills. The students begin by taking an assessment (less than 10 minutes long), and they are directed towards activities that best match their needs and skill level. The app has five categories of games – letter knowledge, phonics, phonemic awareness, phonetic words and sight words. This app can be used with an unlimited number of students, and it tracks their test results and progress. Note: This app is free for a limited time only.
How much is it? Free
Platforms: iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.
Reviews: The reviews for Smarty Pants are very positive. A teacher who uses the app in her Transitional Kindergarten class writes that it is useful “for pinpointing specific reading areas to work on with each child and for informing parents about students’ reading progress.” Several users find it easy to use and are impressed with the visual quality as well.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This app features the 220 Dolch sight words, with words sets designed for kindergarten through third grade. Children hear each sight word in a sentence and must identify five words in a row to win. The sentences change, so that the child does not always see the same thing.
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: This app has earned positive reviews from parents. One mother says ithas helped her son, who once struggled with reading, but who now loves to read. Other reviewers love the positive encouragement that the app gives to the kids to help them through the game.
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? An app that teaches Dolch sight words with flashcards and games. Theapp sorts words into five categories (PreK, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade); the child reads and listens to the cards until he or she can successfully recognize them.
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: No reviews are available at this time.
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? This app is a reading tool for early readers that focuses on identifying the first, middle and final sounds of a word. Based on the Montessori method of teaching, the app uses sounds and images to teach the words. In a series of games and activities, children must identify the first, middle and last letters of a given 3- letter word. This app was also developed to use in a multilingual setting.
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Reviews: This app has been called a “great beginning learning tool” that “could be great for ELL [English Language Learners].”
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? This app targets kindergartners, offering four areas of focus: sight words, addition, subtraction and spelling. The level practiced is entirely up to the parent’s (or educator’s) decision. Children can get help when they do not understand the material, and they earn “coins” when they answer questions correctly.
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Reviewers say this app has “an engaging format” and helps children learn the material and even get ahead in their classes. One parent calls TeachMe “the best $0.99 you can spend on your child.”
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This app serves as a positive reinforcement tool to encourage children to read. They enter the name of the books they are supposed to/plan to read and the number of pages. As they complete their reading assignments, they enter their progress and receive “rewards” (animations, sounds).
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later.
Reviews: Teachers, parents and librarians think that this app is a great tool for encouraging children to read. However, one teacher noted that the types of rewards offered are best suited for young children, and not older students.
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? Toby teaches children how to read and sound out basic, three-letter words. Developed by a team of parents and educators from Germany, Poland and the United States, it is designed with multilingual use in mind. The child is given an object and “sounds out” the name by identifying the first, middle and last sounds.
How much is it? $0.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Reviews: A mother says that Toby is “cute” and very similar to the Montessori way of teaching.
Ideal for: Catch-up reading
What is it? An app that compiles the Greek myths of Theseus, the Minotaur andIcarus in one story, with 37 illustrations. This app is especially intended for children with learning disabilities. The reader has the option to highlight and bookmark parts of the text, or listen to a narration.
How much is it? $1.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.
Reviews: The Greek names may be difficult for some readers, but the narration is clear and easy to follow. A reviewer says it can teach kids about Greek mythology along with reading skills.
eReading: Gulliver’s Travels, Lilliput
Ideal for: Catch-up reading
What is it? Designed especially for struggling readers and children with dyslexia, this app presents Robert Louis Stevensons’ Gulliver’s Travel in modern English. There are 32 illustrations, narrations (that can be turned off), highlighting and bookmarking functions, and even a Spanish translation.
How much is it? $1.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.
Reviews: A reviewer said that the app keeps the main point of the story whilesimplifying the original English writing.
Ideal for: Beginning reading
What is it? This app teaches reading skills appropriate for kindergarten and first grade. This book is ten pages long, and each page has one sentence of four words. The sentences are similar, to teach words by repetition. The words are played aloud when touched.
How much is it? $1.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: While some users comment that the pictures are not the best quality, most reviews like the use of simple sentences and repetition to teach beginner’s reading skills. A special education teacher says that “this app makes learning to read much more interesting” and is especially useful for children who are struggling with reading.
iKids Play – Caterpillar’s Dream
Ideal for: Pre-reading, beginning reading
What is it? The app uses Sally M. Harris’ The Caterpillar’s Dream to teach reading skills to early readers. Children read, listen to, or record the story (which can be replayed); at the same time, they can play with and draw on the pictures (which can be saved and emailed).
How much is it? $2.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 2.2 or later.
Reviews: Reviewers think that this app can be “easily memorized by non-readers and easily learned by beginning readers.”
Storynory – Audio Stories for Kids
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? A source of weekly audio stories – including fairy tales, poems and legends.
How much is it? $2.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: A reviewer calls Storynory “a treasure trove.”
Ideal for: Pre-reading, beginning reading
What is it? A collection of four games, based on the characters from the PBSshow of the same name, that teach the alphabet, reading, writing, rhyming and spelling. For positive reinforcement, as children play the games, they earn virtual stickers that they can place in their “sticker book.”
How much is it? $2.99
Platforms: Android; iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Parents find the app “cute” and say that their children love it. However, one parent noted that users cannot set the app for use for more than one child. Another said that “for the price there should be more content” – the games repeat themselves over time.
Ideal for: Pre-reading, beginning reading
What is it? This app presents the children’s book of the same name with all of the original pictures. Children can learn the alphabet and practice their reading skills at once. The book comes in three modes: “Read to Me” plays a narrated version in which each word is highlighted as it is read; “Read to Myself” lets the user read the story at his or her own pace, as a regular books; “Auto Play” reads the book aloud and turns the pages automatically.
How much is it? $3.99
Platforms: Android; iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Parents write that their children love the app. However, one user says that the app does not allow much interaction.
Jack and the Beanstalk Children’s Interactive Storybook
Ideal for: Beginning reading; catch-up reading
What is it? A 32-page illustrated, interactive version of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”The children can play games and hear songs as well as read along by themselves or with narration.
How much is it? $1.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later.
Reviews: A user calls this “a parent’s dream – one of the best children’s book apps.” Several users praise the interaction that the app allows – it engages kids with the story.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This app presents Dr. Seuss’ book The Lorax on a handheld device. It features narration and all of the illustrations from the original book. There are three modes: “Read to Me,” in which the story is narrated, highlighting the words as they are read aloud; “Read to Myself,” in which the user reads the story as a typical book; and “Auto Play,” which reads the book out loud and automatically turns the pages.
How much is it? $3.99
Platforms: Android; iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Users give positive reviews, with one calling it “out of this world.”Reviewers like the different options for reading, and note that this could easily be used with older children or adults working on their literacy skills.
Ideal for: Pre-reading, beginning reading
What is it? Based on the Montessori “moveable alphabet” method (in which writing is taught before reading), this app teaches children to read, write and spell phonetically. The app has two components: First, children select an image that they want to practice writing; second, they create their own stories on the storyboard feature.
How much is it? $4.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
Reviews: Some reviewers find the app useful and entertaining for their children.Others think it is “confusing” and not completely in line with the Montessori methods.
Milly, Molly and the Bike Ride HD
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? An app that teaches reading and spelling skills to early readers.Children can hear the story in its entirety, hear individual words or hear the letters that spell a given word. They can also record themselves reading the story out loud and have it played back. To personalize the story, children can also draw on the pages. The interface, text and audio come in four different languages: American English, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
How much is it? $4.99
Platforms: iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.
Reviews: A bilingual parent says that the app is simple to use and “is a must” for parents raising their children in multilingual households. Another reviewer calls it “worth the investment” and good for building literacy and language skills.
Tumblebooks ToGo Munsch 6-Pack
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? The app features 6 books by Robert Munsch, narrated by the author. The phrases are highlighted as they are read out loud.
How much is it? $5.99
Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.2 or later.
Reviews: Teachers and parents write that the app is entertaining for children.While the app is “well-done” overall, it is not very interactive as the stories are simply read aloud.
Ideal for: Catch-up reading
What is it? An interactive presentation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures inWonderland. Children read the story and explore illustrations and animations that bring the story to life.
How much is it? $8.99
Platforms: iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.
Reviews: One review calls it “the best iPad eBook.” It gets children reading“classic” literature while bringing the story to life. One parent writes that since the app lets the user choose between an abridged or a full version, the app can be enjoyed by children with different reading levels.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? An app that lets users of all ages and skill levels create talking photoalbums and books. On a single page, users can upload a picture and record up to five lines of text (or have typed text “spoken” by the app). While no Internet connection is needed to play or create stories, the stories can be shared through the iTunes Sharing File or via WiFi on the Pictello Sharing Server (users can get an account for free).
How much is it? $14.99
Platform: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Reviews: Users are raving about this app. One reviewer praises its “well-designed and pleasing to the eye” interface that makes it easy to share stories. Other reviewers like the voice quality and feel that they can make the albums and stories “personalized.” This app lets children create their own stories.
Ideal for: Beginning reading, catch-up reading
What is it? This is text-to-speech software allows users to read a piece in multiple voices – different voices to represent different characters in a story, for example. The words are highlighted as they are read, and for each voice, the volume, pitch and rate can be modified. Stories can be exported to iTunes to listen on an iPod or iPhone.
How much is it? $39.95, but a 30-day trial is free.
Platforms: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
Reviews: One reviewer writes that the ability to use different voice recordings is afeature that other text-to-speech apps do not have, and thus makes this one worth buying. There are a few reports of voices breaking down during use, though.