OLIVIA ACTS OUT

Olivia's roots in theater shine through with her usual panache as she makes her debut onto the iPad stage.

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Shocked to find herself NOT chosen as the lead in the school play, Olivia must come to terms with her role as Cow Number Two. The story is packed with over 30 interactive animations that range from the educational (kids can practice numbers and shapes from cues on the classroom wall) to the irreverently hilarious (they can swing Olivia back and forth over the stage). In one of the dramatic daydream sequences triggered by tapping the cloud over Olivia's head, the screen becomes wavy and they are transported to a grand theater packed with an adoring (and 3D!) audience as she imagines herself in the lead role. Professionally narrated with written text and options to read to oneself or just listen, it does not offer the option to "play" it through, and page turns are difficult as the touch zone seems to be too small for younger readers; otherwise the animations respond well. The musical loop in the background can be turned off for children who need less distraction.