Some weeks ago, I posted about whether children's interactive storybook apps can really be considered books.  But when I got a Nook Tablet a couple of weeks ago, one of the first things I did was to download one -- primarily to see what it was like, and also to use for entertaining the kids I babysit for.

I downloaded the app for Peter Rabbit from the Barnes & Noble app store, and I was pleasantly surprised.  Not only were the illustrations gorgeous and true to the original, but the ability to have the app read to you was rather nice.  The interactive graphics weren't too distracting from the story -- you can tap the bunnies to make them bounce and make sounds, and tap leaves and berries to make them pop out of the illustration.  There are also a few tabs that you can slide to make the characters do something, kind of like you can with some physical picture books.

This app apparently received considerably recognition, judging by the list of awards and other achievements listed in the description on Barnes & Noble's site, and I can see why.  It's a lovely app and, of course, is based on a classic children's story.

Essentially, it was the kind of app I could leave the kids with while I did something else, and they were entertained and read to.  I can definitely see the appeal, especially with apps like this that do a fairly good job of maintaining the intent of a storybook while turning it into an interactive digital experience.  I plan on checking out a few other storybook apps, and if they are all as nice as this one, I may have to completely revise my previous criticisms!