Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Introducing the New "Room on the Broom" Games App, Board Book and Line of Plush Toys (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.




"Just in time for Halloween, the new Room On The Broom Games app from Magic Light Pictures flies into the app stores! The new app is based on Penguin Group’s #1 best-selling Room on the Broom children’s picture book written by much-loved author Julia Donaldson, UK Children’s Laureate (2011-2013), and illustrator Axel Scheffler—the same author and illustrator team that created the critically-acclaimed book series, The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child.



              
There’s room on the broom for everyone in this high quality game app for 3–7-year-olds, featuring beautiful design based on Alex Scheffler’s original illustrations.  Offering children a safe, entertaining and interactive experience they can enjoy time and time again, Room on the Broom Games provides eight imaginative activities that players can interact and explore within, while practicing early learning skills such as counting, creativity and literacy.   Collectively, the games explore the world of Room on the Broom, complementing the experience of reading the book and watching the film. Key characters are featured and players get to help them fly, eat and explore their world. Designed to ensure players and parents feel comfortable and safe in the digital space, there are no in-app purchases.


The new Room on the Broom Games interactive app is available through the iTunes store for iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone and iPod Touch; and on GooglePlay and Amazon for Android devices, priced at $4.99.

Julia Donaldson comments, “‘When Magic Light first mentioned to me the idea of producing a game offering children a different way to engage with the Room on the Broom characters, I was confident that they would produce another beautiful high-quality product to sit alongside their films and merchandise. The games have been especially designed to echo traditional children’s games of observation and memory and are a lovely addition to the world of Room on the Broom.” She adds, “ My own favourites are feeding fries to the dragon and creating constellations of stars!”

Axel Scheffler added,  “I’m delighted to see how my original artwork has been used to create such beautifully produced games that give children the opportunity to explore the world of Room on the Broom in a whole new way.”

Room on the Broom Screen Shots

Fans can play with their favorite characters—Witch, Cat, Dog, Bird, Frog and Dragon in these magical games:
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·       Join the stars – Fly through the air and connect all the sparkly stars to find the right image!


Find the hat_ipad
·       Find the hat – The Witch has lost her hat! Is it behind the tree? Help Dog find the hat in the woods.


Windy day collecting game_ipad
·       Windy day collecting game – It’s a windy day and Cat needs help collecting a few things, will you help? Be careful not to miss them!
·       Find the bow – The Witch has lost her bow! Is it in the hay? Help Bird find the bow in the field.
·       Find the wand – The Witch has lost her wand! Is it under the lily pad? Help Frog find the wand in the pond.  
Drawing with stars_ipad
·       Drawing with stars – Light up your imagination by creating pictures in the night sky. Place the numbered stars where you wish and watch the witch transform it into a dot-to-dot picture.


Dragon loves chips_ipad
·       Dragon loves fries – The Dragon is hungry and is planning to have fries for his dinner! Feed the dragon fries and avoid the other falling objects from the sky!  


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·       Fly the magnificent broom – Whoosh! Join the gang on the magnificent broom and fly through the starry night sky. Take control and steer the broom to collect letters, which spell out a word!

Additional Room on the Broom products include: 


Donaldson and Scheffler: Room on the Broom (Paperback)

v  Room on the Broom books from Penguin Group.  Hardcover (SRP: $16.99) and Board Book (SRP: $6.99) versions are available wherever books are sold. 



Room on the Broom: Room on the Broom DVD
v  Room on the Broom DVD from NCircle Entertainment, available at Barnes & Noble, Target and Walmart, Toys”R”Us, amazon.com, Kmart (SRP: $9.99).  Named “Best Animated Short” by the Toronto International Film Festival Kid’s Festival, beautiful CGI animation brings the book’s drawings to life under the direction of Max Lang & Jan Lachauer.  Gillian Anderson (The X Files) provides the voice of the witch; while Timothy Spall of Harry Potter fame, lends his voice to the dragon. Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) narrates the story, which also features the recognizable voices of Martin Clunes, Rob Brydon, Sally Hawkins and David Walliams portraying the helpful animals that comprise the witch’s family.  


Room on the Broom: Room on the Broom Witch 15'' Soft Toy

v  Room on the Broom plush from Kids Preferred, available at barnesandnoble.com.  Witch, Dragon and Cat are perfect for kids of all ages. These surface-washable, soft and moveable plush, help kids to bring the classic story to life with their own twists and imagination. The lovable Witch is 15 inches (SRP: $12.95), Dragon is 8 inches and Cat is 7.5 inches (pricing currently unavailable).

PLUS – watch out for a special Halloween broadcast of this multiple award-winning animated movie in its first U.S. broadcast slots on 24-hour preschool network Sprout, airing on Oct 30, 31, Nov 29 and Dec 7.

AND check out The Room on the Broom website for some fun FREE activities including how to make your own wand, a “can you find” challenge, help Witch through the maze to find her bow, and a fun word search puzzle.

word-search
cut-out
colour-in


Don't forget to follow Room on the Broom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roomonthebroomfilm or visit www.roomonthebroom.com/us/game for more information."


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My Thoughts:

Back in August I was Room on the Broom on DVD from NCircle Entertainment, as well as the paperback version of this book.  I can't tell you how many times the girls and I have cuddled up on the couch to watch this fun movie, which can be enjoyed year round and not just as Halloween nears, or snuggling up in bed at bedtime, as we finish off the day with a reading of this story.  I wish I took a photo of the paper back to show the daily wear and tear it has gotten from two toddlers, flipping through the pages.  But, Savannah passed out it about an hour ago, after we read it before her nap. :-)  

While I love paperback books, I have learned that if the book becomes popular with the girls, it is best to seek out a board book of it, to keep the paperback for when they get a little older (so it stays in good condition to be enjoyed for years to come).  Luckily, a few weeks ago, in addition to receiving a cute Room on the Broom plush witch doll for the girls to play with, I also received the board book version of this cute story.  Savannah ended up taking the board book to sit and read, while Bella, who loves to cuddle, swooped up the witch and gave her a great big hug.  I wish you could have heard Bella's belly laugh when she noticed the witch's wart on the tip of her nose.  She showed it to me, and said, "Look Mommy, boo boo."  Then, she gave the witch a great big squeeze and kissed the wart, telling her it was "all better now."




If you missed my review of the DVD and paperback book, please check out my previous post here for my thoughts -- http://www.inspiredbysavannah.com/2013/08/celebrate-family-fun-month-with-room-on.html.  With Halloween fast approaching, why not surprise your kids with Room on the Broom in either print or on DVD to enjoy.  This cute story is best when enjoyed together!  And, don't forget about the plush dolls.  They would make for great candy alternatives to drop in your child's trick-or-treat bag.

I can't wait to hear what you think of this story.  And, if you get a chance to check out the new app, share what you think. 


Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.

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