Children love photo-essays and stories about animals and educators looking to introduce global issues into the curriculum often find endangered animals a good place to start. The World Wildlife Fund provides a digital offering on the topic, with an update to their WWF Together app, available free on iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire. The World Wildlife Fund’s app, WWF Together ( iOS, Free; Android, Free; Kindle Fire, Free; Gr 3 Up) , originally came out in 2013, stunning users with gorgeous visuals and a wealth of information on animals around the world. With a recent update, including a collection of 2015 articles and current statistics, the app continues to engage users with ample opportunities for multiple visits. The World Wildlife Fund consistently pushes their message of advocacy and awareness but it never becomes uncomfortable or preachy. Through crisp, beautiful design and engaging content, information (population, threat level, habitat, and a paragraph of text) on dozens of animals is provided; 16 animals of various threat levels are featured with in-depth stories. Easy to navigate blocks contain arresting photographs, facts and information on what the  WWF is doing to support their rehabilitation. The majority of the content is somber—such as the number of marine turtles killed every year by fishing gear. The overall feel remains hopeful, if serious.

Screen from WWF Together (World Wildlife Fund Inc.)

The app contains interactive, puzzle-like elements that keep users coming back to each animal multiple times. At the end of each featured story, the screen magically folds into an origami version of the creature that can be shared via social media. Origami instructions are included for each animal, making this app a cut above similar offerings. Even more impressive is the interactive 3-D globe. By allowing the app access to their location, information on how far viewers and live from 70 different animals around the world. Users can sign up for news updates on these endangered animals by providing an email address. A melody plays in the background, but users can switch off the music if they desire. This is must-have free app jam-packed with quality content. Teachers and parents should know that there are many opportunities to leave the site and connect with social media.-—Caroline Molnar, Delaware City Schools For additional app reviews, visit SLJ's dedicated app webpage.