Leo the Lightning Bug
August 2, 2011
By: Carisa Kluver
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User Rating:
Rating: Not Yet Rated!
Leo the Lightning Bug
August 2, 2011
By: Carisa Kluver
The Digital Media Diet
Leo is a lightning bug that won't give up ...
This is a charming story about a little lightning bug who is having a hard time finding his light. He is very frustrated, like any child wanting to do something grown up. His mother encourages Leo to be patient and feel good about himself, but he still struggles. No matter what he does, he just can't seem to light up. But despite teasing & feeling discouraged, the little bug keeps practicing, becoming triumphant one night during a thunder storm. In the end Leo discovers he has a bright, beautiful light (and that he is very brave).
This book was published in print in 2001 and has over a dozen 5 star reviews on Amazon.com that glow about the heart-warming story by Eric Drachman. It is also filled with gorgeous, color-drenched illustrations by James Muscarello. As a digital title, from Oceanhouse Media, this app is well made with easy to read text that highlights as narrated, simple page swiping and ample settings.
Leo the Lightning Bug is only lightly animated (mostly just the rain & lightning). It also doesn't have much interactivity, but you can tap Leo (and the other characters) to hear a name or a few other sounds. You can also tap words to hear them read individually. The narration is delightful, with a child voicing the part of Leo. Leo's dialogue is so 'child-like' though, that it can be hard to make out without the text to read-along. This can be an issue for young listeners who may need more articulate linguistic modeling.
Overall, this is a perfect bedtime read. The light animation & interactivity help the story come alive a bit more, but never overwhelm the storytelling. The book is particularly enchanting in a low-light enviroment, with light itself playing an important role in the story. Above all, though, Leo the Lighning Bug is adorable, with a story that will win as many hearts in digital form as it did in print.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
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Author/Illustrator:
Eric Drachman/James Muscarello
Developer:
Oceanhouse Media, Inc.
Length (time):
10 - 15 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: Yes
Allows Own Narration:
No
Uses Motion: No
Age: 3 - 8
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
68 Pages
Story Synopsis - Leo the Lightning Bug
Leo is a little lightning bug who has a bit of a complex about his smallness. "Even my name is small!" he exclaims. His mother tries to comfort him. Leo spends his days practicing his light, but he can never get it to turn on. He is teased about this by his peers and feels very discouraged. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot light up.
So Leo runs away, flying far away to a dark, deep cave. At first he just cries. Then he dries his tears and gets angry. Then he hears the echo of his mother's voice, saying 'with a little time & practice'. So he decides to practice some more. A rain storm is now raging outside. Real lightning in the sky scares Leo, so he responds with ... a light. Now he feels brave as a lion (which is what his mom says his name means).
When he sees his friends again, at first Leo doesn't light up, but he also doesn't feel bad, not embarrased or sad. Instead he feels confident. And in the end all the friends are laughing and having fun. As Leo says goodbye, he lights up. His friends are impressed. Leo is growing up! When his mother tucks him in that night Leo is glowing ... 'right through the covers'.
Orientation: Landscape
Format: Universal
Options:
Read to Me, Read Myself, AutoPlay, News, Sound Effects, Links to: AppStore, Email, Web
App Release Date:
2011-07-01
Size: 19 MB
Version: 1.08
Lite Version Available: No
Leo the Lightning Bug
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