Author: Bayard, TOBO STUDIO, VV.AA
Illustrator: Bayard, VV.AA
With the emergence of a number of curated children’s digital content collections this year, Bayam stands out as one with the highest overall level of quality. It’s clear that great care has been taken to put together innovative titles that include some past Bologna Ragazzi Digital Award winners. Ages 3-6 years.
Author: The Voxel Agents
Illustrator: Soft Science
This is the story of two young friends who learn what it means to grow up, by moving through a series of beautifully illustrated puzzles together. The user experience is exceptional and the puzzles add an increasing cognitive challenge that engages all ages from 7+. Runs on Switch, Xbox and PS4, Mac and PC. Steam
Author and Illustrator: EDOKI ACADEMY
Subscription based collections of apps abound this year, but few have been as well maintained and updated as this one, with original content that the jurors felt is true to the Montessori label. The service offers an exceptional range of games and activities that support early years, for ages 3-7. Runs on Android, Kindle and iOS. iOS, Android, Amazon
Author: Beth Garrod
Illustrator: PRELOADED
Augmented reality meets voice recognition in this iOS only app, where you use short voice commands to solve problems that might include helping a stunt plane fly around your room. Jurors loved the beautiful design and sense of humor. The AR encourages you to explore your physical space as it draws you into the experience. Runs on iOS (Apple Devices). iOS
Author and Illustrator: Ahoiii Entertainment UG
Within the growing genre of virtual doll’s house worlds, Fiete World stands out with its charming illustrations, smooth design and sophisticated cause-effect interactions. For example, you can use a saw to cut down a tree to make a fire. A wonderful, creative world to inspire young imagination. Ages 3-6. Runs on iOS. iOS
Author: Japhet Asher
App: Japhet Asher and Russell Porter
This genuinely creepy book/app combination sets a new standard for how AR features can truly augment printed material. As you enhance your skills as a ghost hunter, you uncover clues, capturing ghosts and solve the puzzles. Jurors noted the quality steampunk style design. Ages 10-up; iOS app (book required).
Author: Silvia Borando, Anna Beozzi, Paolo Chiarinotti, Amedeo Perri
Illustrator: Silvia Borando
A lovely, simple app for preschoolers, helping them make choices and navigate visual mazes while helping fun animals escape a hungry wolf. If all goes well, they get to have their picnic. Jurors liked the simple, attractive graphics, sounds and good user experience. Ages 4-8 years, Android and iOS. iOS, Android
Author and Illustrator: Fingerprint
This is a wonderfully broad library of “all you can eat” children’s content in a single monthly/yearly subscription. The library includes many of the judges’ favorites and a wide range of leading brands for which the platform should be commended. Only a few less high-quality items detract from the overall experience for us. Runs on iOS, Android, PC and Kindle. For ages 3-up. iOS, Android, Amazon
Author and Illustrator: Josh On
For a young child, cracking the reading code can be hard work. This app bridges the distance between letters and meaning by turning letters into living building blocks. As a child types, she builds items that appear on the screen. Ages 3-6. Runs on iOS. iOS
Author and Illustrator: Giuseppe Ragazzini
Turn your tablet into a visual classical art blender, 200 items that have been carved from classic works of art. Each item can be tinted, resized, replaced or erased, and you can see it in the context of the original work, making this a nice soft introduction to classical art. Playful, creative and educational. Runs on iOS and Android. Ages 5-up. iOS
Author: Morten Brunbjerg/ Triple Topping
Illustrator: Anne Sigismund & Murray Somersville
Colorful illustrations and well designed gameplay take on themes of gender identity and polyamorous relationships without being too serious. This game is fun to play for all ages, and requires logical thinking and timing. Ages 6-up. Runs on iOS, Android and Steam. iOS, Android, Steam
Author and Illustrator: Multiple
This online book store from Israel does something very special, by making classic children’s books look like they’re sitting on your table using Augmented Reality (AR). You can swipe to turn the page, zoom into a page, and examine illustrations in 3D. Jurors liked the collection, which includes Peter Rabbit and the DK Children’s Encyclopedia. iOS
Author: Learny Land
Illustrator: Alins Illustration / Sònia Alins
Learning about strong female role models in history is important for children of both genders. This is accomplished here, with quality illustrations and a good interactive experience. The mix of quiz questions, reading, audio and graphics make a nice interactive book experience. Ages 8-up, for iOS. iOS
This second “Little Kitten” app gives you more to do, and features beautiful realistic illustrations. Games are limited, but include an attractive, easy to play AR experience. Runs on iOS, for ages 3-8.
Warren Buckleitner
Warren Buckleitner is an educational researcher and product reviewer with a specialty in the design of interactive media for children. He is the founding Editor of Children's Technology Review and covered children’s technology for the New York Times for over a decade. In 2001 he created the Dust or Magic Institute, an annual meeting of leading designers, researchers and reviewers, with the intention to share examples of best practice in children’s digital media. That same year, he started Mediatech Foundation, a non-profit technology center designed to enhance the services of a small town public library with technology. He's the coordinator of the annual BolognaRagazzi Digital Award, and the KAPi Awards — a juried prize given each year at CES. He's an adjunct professor at TCNJ, and has taught in NYU's ITP program, Rutgers and Michigan State University. He holds a BS in Elementary Education (cum laude), an MS in Human Development and a doctorate in educational psychology (Learning, Technology & Culture) from Michigan State University. He lives in New Jersey, is married with two daughters, and enjoys playing the trumpet.
Roberta Franceschetti
Roberta Franceschetti has been working in communication and publishing for the past 15 years, focusing on new media. A journalist and content creator, she graduated in literature and earned a Master of Arts at the Royal College of Art, London and a postgraduate specialization in digital publishing at the Politecnico di Milano. She has worked with publishers and creative studios such as Giorgio Mondadori, Condé Nast, Franco Maria Ricci, Artefice. In 2012 she co-founded with Elisa Salamini the website Mamamò that reviews the best digital contents for kids and promotes digital education for children and families. She is the co-founder of TheContentMakers, for children. She lives by the seaside in Southern Italy with her husband, her son Gabriele and two cats.
Lucy Gill
During the creation of her brain-child the Good App Guide (part of Fundamentally Children), Lucy reviewed literally hundreds of apps for children through observational research developing a keen eye for what makes an app exceptional. Lucy remained a Director at Fundamentally Children until 2016 when she started Digills Consulting. She supports the child-centred development of kids digital products working with McDonalds, LEGO, Preloaded, Scary Beasties and beyond. Lucy holds a Masters in Engineering from the University of Cambridge. She is also a STEM ambassador, book lover and mother of 2.
Sylvia Van Ommen
Sylvia van Ommen studied illustration at the art academy in Zwolle, Netherlands. After graduating in 2001 her first book drop (sweets/jellybeans) was published, shortly followed by De verrassing (The surprise). Both books translated and published in several countries. Sylvia makes illustrations for (picture) books, interactive design, writes and posts a daily cartoon online. She likes to observe and picture the seemingly normal day to day life, discovering the humour and weirdness in small things. Animals in all sorts and sizes are often the main characters in her work Besides individual projects and commissioned work she works together with Maurice van der Bij. They form the creative company 'fruitcocktail' and combine their work fields of illustrator and motion graphic designer in fresh original visuals.
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