Due to neglect, Moose’s teeth have become a green, slimy mess. Will sparkling moose paste restore his pearly whites?
This whimsical tale about the dangers of tooth decay was adapted from a traditional book originally released in 2003. On the opening screen, a moose saunters out with a toothbrush in hand and a towel slung around his shoulders. Touch him, and he’ll dance a little jig and continue on his way while the narrator delves in to the story. There are 11 different screens, each one displaying as few as four and as many as 16 successive lines of text. Kids will enjoy many of the interactive elements, which include flinging green goo that’s hanging from the moose’s teeth; helping him floss; creating a screen full of bubbles by helping him brush; or making the moose spit after he’s finished rinsing. The app's weak link is the text. The rhyming couplets often feel forced, and there are several spots where certain phrases sound strangely Yoda-like (as in, “untangled they were”), leaving the impression that they were strong-armed into the text. Still, it’s a cute story, the illustrations are adorable and the interaction/navigation are first-rate. Besides, who can resist a clogging moose?
Subliminal fun that is likely to increase kids’ interest in dental hygiene. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)