iTunes App Review: “Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa”

Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa – Cognitive Kid, Inc.

Released: May 5, 2011

ABOUT THE APP:

Original characters: Ansel, a friendly inter-galactic travel photographer from the planet Virtoos, and Clair, a brilliant Virtoosian robot

Engaging gameplay:
* Take 29 spectacular photos
* Collect and arrange photos in the Travel Log
* Help Ansel & Clair recover lost spaceship parts

Deeply enriching and immersive: Utilizes a high-impact, thematic & contextual approach to teach:
* Geography: Continents, oceans, rivers, monuments & landmarks
* History: Pyramids, pharaoh, mummy, hieroglyphics, Sphinx
* Science: Metamorphosis, migrations, climate, seasons, temperature changes, animal characteristics, behavior and food habits
* Concepts: Camouflage, migration, nocturnal, herbivore, predator, vertebrate, cold-blooded

Thoughtful & flexible design: Completely supported by audio, the app offers hours of independent exploration and learning for both kids who have not yet learnt to read as well as for older kids who can read
* Learn more through innovative “ClairVision”: 50+ screen overlays supported by both dialog and text and 30+ contextual hyperlink illustrations

Seamlessly integrated games and puzzles: Multiple levels to engage, teach and challenge kids of different ages and levels

Mind-blowing interactions geared towards learning
* 3D Globe: Spin, touch and learn the names and locations of continents and oceans
* Explore the Sahara during the day and also at night
— Learn about nocturnal animals, sandstorms, camels and extreme desert temperatures through fun interactions
* Experience the Serengeti during the wet and dry seasons
— Learn about the wet and dry seasons, animal migrations. Watch snowfall on Mount Kilimanjaro
* Explore the Spectacular Nile Valley
— Learn about the Pyramids, Sphinx, Pharaohs and mummies. Interact with the Nile Crocodile, Sacred Ibis, Bee Eater, Turtle and Frog

Encourages children to think through critical questioning and developing higher order learning skills
* What is a mummy?
* What is the difference between an alligator & a crocodile?
* Did you say the crocodile is cold-blooded? Is the crocodile’s blood cold like ice?
* Why are there more plant-eating animals than meat-eating animals?
* Why are the wildebeest migrating? How long will they be gone?
* Why is there snow only on Mount Kilimanjaro and not in the rest of the Savanna?

5 seamlessly integrated games & puzzles with multiple levels to entertain and challenge kids of different ages and levels
* Pyramid Treasure Hunt: Tilt the iPad to navigate the spaceship
* Clock Puzzle: Learn to tell time
* Frog Life Cycle Puzzle
* Sahara Maze: Reunite animals with their babies; lead animals to their food source
* Fur Ball-a-tor: Match falling fur balls to the correct animals. Learn to identify animal patterns

Recommended Ages: 4-7, 8-10
Categories: Geography, Environment, History, Science, Games, Vocabulary, Parents, Early Learning, Time, Creative Play

MY THOUGHTS:

First off the music, narration, and graphics are awesome.  The app is very realistic looking and include so many great animals and objects in the background.  In this app you visit Africa and explore the continent.  You can click on animals and a narrator explains all about them, shows how to spell and correctly pronounce the name, and allows you to take a pretend picture of the animal which pops up an actual picture of the animal.  You then can drag all your photos to the correct spots in your photo album.  I will say it is exciting to collect all the pictures and my while my 4 year old needs a little help knowing what to do when, he likes the graphics and sounds.  There is so much information stored in this app that a child could really play it over and over and still not have learned everything!  This app would even be great for older kids learning about Africa because it really is jam packed with useful information!  The quality of this app is awesome and while it is more expensive than other apps, I think it is worth it because it contains so much.  We have been playing this app for over a week now and have yet to get bored!

BUY IT: You can download Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa – Cognitive Kid, Inc. for your iPad for $4.99

Mom and More Disclosure: I received this app to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.