Nighty Night Circus

PreS—Following on the heels of their successful Nighty Night, this author and developer team have run away to the big top with another bedtime activity app. Like that production, Circus asks kids to put a cast of creatures to sleep by bidding them good night.The story starts with a narrated, animated sequence featuring an owl that follows the sound of a trumpeting elephant to a campsite housing a host of circus animals. A tap to each creature's fanciful abode opens to a view of that animal (elephant, lion, rabbit, snake, and so on). Inside their homes, the creatures respond with a variety of actions when touched. For example, the lion roars, rolls a ball about, perches on top of the toy, and, lastly, prances around his cabin. When viewers extinguish the lights inside the various homes, the animals lie down to the sound of the narrator's voice ("Sleep well, dear lion."). Once all the creatures are sound asleep, another animated scene brings users back to the owl and encourages them to say, "Goodnight."High-quality cartoon art and animations, a soothing narration, and simple interactions provide children with a calming bedtime activity. A snowflake icon on the menu page can be switched on to add wintery seasonal decorations to the scenes. Also available from the menu is access to 16 additional language options.—Brad Clark, Wilsonville Public Library, OR