BLUEBEAR BOOK

This tale about a laid-back cobalt teddy bear demonstrates the value of a leisurely and unhurried lifestyle.

Bluebear leads a pretty charmed life. He lives in an adorable yellow-and-red cottage by the sea. In the spring, he plants tomatoes and then spends his summer tending the soil and drinking lemonade while gazing at the ocean. Once the tomatoes are ripe, he picks them, bakes bread and has a jazzy picnic with the flowers, butterflies and bees. Inspired by the calm and peaceful vibe of Fred Rogers, Lewis wrote and illustrated the story for his young son in the early 1990s (according to an author’s note). This adaptation most certainly moves at a snail’s pace and offers very limited animation and interaction, which seems to be the point here. Butterflies flutter by; potted tomato plants play the notes of a scale when individually tapped; flour puffs across the screen while Bluebear is baking bread. But for the most part, each page offers minimal movement. The optional narration is likewise deliberate, and unfortunately, it is drowned out at times by the otherwise enjoyable musical accompaniments. Tap the “fun” button for a step-by-step tutorial on baking bread (which is enticing, but seems a little ambitious for a preschooler app activity).

A plain-vanilla alternative to the frenetic hordes.