App Review: Laloo the Red Panda - Teaches Children About the Endangered Red Panda

Details

Laloo the Red Panda is an interactive storybook app for the Ipad that tells the adventure of Laloo and teaches children about the endangered red panda and the environment as well as the importance of being yourself. The story is about Laloo the bug-loving red panda who gets caught by a poacher, escapes, and tries to get back home. Set in India, the adventure takes Laloo to different places as he meets new friends and discovers some things about himself.

The app is in the typical storybook app format with 30+ full page cartoon-like illustrations with some animation that children ages 4-8 will surely love. There are also different options like “Read to Me” which turns on the narrator, “Read by Myself” which turns off the narrator for more advanced readers, and “Auto Play” which plays the whole story without the user needing to tap the next buttons.

There are also different interactive elements throughout the storybook like collecting bugs, unlocking animations as well as sound effects. On some pages, red panda trivia is also available so children will learn more about them. Finally, 20% of all app purchase will go to the Red Panda Network to help protect this endangered species.

What iHeartThisApp Liked

This is a really nice storybook app because all elements work well together. The illustrations and animations are colourful and enticing for the target audience. Interactive elements like animation and sound effects add to the story. The narrator’s voice is clear and animated which will make users understand and engage with the story more. The music and sounds effects also serve to enhance the whole experience.

More than the storybook aspect, I really admire the objective behind it. The developers want to educated young children about the red panda, how it is an endangered species, and how its habitat is being destroyed. This is done through some elements of the story and through trivia scattered throughout the story. Finally, a call to action is presented at the end of the story by informing users that 20% of the app’s cost will go to the Red Panda Network and providing a link for interested people to donate to.

Overall

Laloo the Red Panda is an interactive storybook app that not only teaches your children about the importance of being true to yourself, but also about the Red Panda, the environment, and how we can help preserve the endangered species.