Tractor Mac Nov 24, 2011

There are 3 digital stories in the PicPocket books ‘Tractor Mac’ series (so far), Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm, Tractor Mac Builds a Barn and Tractor Mac You’re a Winner. They are stunningly illustrated and beautifully written tales by Billy Steers about a personified tractor and his life and friends on Farmer Bills farm.

These stories are charming and beautifully narrated, they make wonderful bedtime stories. The author makes great use of onomatopoeia which is always fun, the kids are always engaged and immersed in the story. The characters are diverse – from Tractor Mac and Tucker Pickup to Sibley the workhorse and Carla the Chicken – and all are kind and friendly. The apps contain just the right amount of interactivity, you can touch the characters and hear their sounds, but otherwise it is a static story book, which I tend to prefer especially for bedtime stories.

At the beginning of each book is a beautiful labeled technical illustration of something you can find in the book.

Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm

In this story we’re introduced to Sibley the workhorse and see him have a difficult time when Farmer Bill brings Tractor Mac home, Sibley feels replaced. We meet many of the other farm animals who are very impressed by the newcomer to the farm. One day though, Mac needs Sibleys help. I don’t want to give away the ending, but this story has a wonderful message about working together and feeling jealous.

The technical illustrations at the start of this story are Sibley and Mac.

On iTunes: Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm HD (iPad) and Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm (iPhone)

Tractor Mac Builds a Barn

Tractor Mac is a hard worker and never stands still for long “I’ve got wheels, I have to use them!” he says. When Farmer Bill uses Mac to run equipment needed to build a barn, he has to stay in one place for many days, Pete and Paul the pigs tease him, saying that Farmer Bills Wife could plant a garden around him. Mac doesn’t like to sit still but soon learns that Tractors can be useful in many different ways. This story includes a mention about an evergreen tree being placed on the barn ‘for good luck’, it’s only a very small mention in the story but if it makes you uncomfortable maybe choose one of the other Tractor Mac books.

The message we learn from this story is that someone can be useful in many different ways.

The technical illustration at the start of this book is the barn.

On iTunes: Tractor Mac Builds a Barn HD (iPad) and Tractor Mac Builds a Barn (iPhone)

Tractor Mac You’re a Winner!

This was the first Tractor Mac book we bought, and how we fell in love with Mac. My 4 year old vehicle lover couldn’t get enough! In this story Mac goes to the county fair and participates in a ‘Tractor Pull Contest’ which is where Tractors pull heavy loads, whoever pulls the heaviest wins. Mac is nervous but does his best and comes in second. Mac is disappointed but finds another way to help at the fair and learns that there are many ways to win in life, and sometimes, it’s by helping others.

The technical illustration in this story is Mac (acting as a generator) and the carousel (merry-go-round) that he is running.

On iTunes: Tractor Mac You’re a Winner HD (iPad) and Tractor Mac You’re a Winner (iPhone)

In Short

Tractor Mac stories are charming, beautiful and absolute necessities for any childs digital library. We couldn't love them more.

Muslim Friendly Rating

Rated a Gold Apple, which means this is one of our favorites and we consider it a must have.

Details

• Price (at the time of review) $2.99 (HD) or $1.99 (iPhone)
• Platform: There are HD and non HD versions of all the stories. The HD versions only work on iPad, the non HD versions work on all devices.
• Developer: http://www.picpocketbooks.com/