Introduction

Don’t Let Pigeon Run This App! is produced by Disney and can be downloaded from the Apple app store for a cost. As a piece of digital literature it is hard to place into any of the categories proposed by Lamb (2011). It is not exactly an enhanced e-book or an interactive story book as the text of the story is not always displayed on screen. It also isn’t interactive fiction as the stories presented are linear in nature. The best description for this digital text is a ‘narrative app’ that tells a story in an ordered and linear series of connected events. The events incorporate interactive features that don’t change the outcome of the story, as suggested by Turrion Penelas (2015).

This narrative app will be evaluated using a simplified criteria based on the work of Yakota and Teale (2014) and Walsh (2013).

Criteria 1: Is the story well told?

The app has a number of linear stories that follow the same format as the print version where the reader is trying to be persuaded by the character Pigeon to let him do something that he is not allowed to do. While similar, the stories differ based on the user’s interactions with the text. However, no matter what choices the reader takes, the outcome of the story is always the same. The concept of the reader being guided to make their own stories means they are invested in the story and enables the story to be told in a way that is appropriate to the readers’ level of comprehension. The reader is prompted by Pidgeon to feel empathy for the main character by Pidgeon addressing them directly and seeking their ideas. Walsh (2013) suggest being able to elicit empathy from the reader as an indicator of quality literature.

Criteria 2: Are the language and illustrations appropriate for the intended audience?

The intended audience is the beginner reader. The illustrations and animated style of the characters are appropriate for this age group and transfer well to iPad dimensions which Yokota and Teale (2014) suggest is important for digital literature. Illustrations, which are an integral part of children’s print literature, also play a key role in the success of this narrative app.

The language used throughout the story is fun, engaging and appropriate for beginner readers including  non-readers, as the majority of the story is verbally narrated by Pigeon. Children can be as ‘silly’ as they like in responding to Pigeons request for ideas and are entertained by the text as the character speaks directly to them with Pigeon having many amusing ways to try to persuade the reader of his good intentions. The language in the text becomes even more accessible to students through the ability to partially co-author the story and hear their own voice in the app which can be an engaging feature (Kucirkova, 2018). One of the key features of the app is that there is a new experience for the reader every time they revisit the app and respond the Pigeons questions.

Criteria 3: Do the digital aspects of the text enhance the story?

This digital iteration of Pigeon combines the best aspects of the print book with interactive elements that allow the reader to respond to Pigeons questions in fun ways that allows their own creative input to the flow of the story but not the outcome. This interaction enhances the story as the reader feels involved and part of the story in helping Pigeon.

Turrion Penelas (2015) suggests that the best currently available digital literature for children are ones where the interactive elements are embedded into the story. The digital elements in the Don’t Let Pigeon Run This App! meet this criteria to the benefit of the reader’s experience. Rather than moving through pages of text, the reader’s responses play out on the screen more like a movie or television show. This avoids children reading the story backwards or in a non-linear fashion that Lamb (2011) suggests affects comprehension of the story.

A key digital element that supports the enquiring mind of young readers is the ability of the app to be reused to create a different journey (Bozkurt & Bozkaya, 2015). This app builds on reusability by creating a slightly different story each time it is used meaning the reader will be more likely to return again and again.

Conclusion

Don’t Let Pigeon Run This App! is a well-produced narrative app that contains the appeal of a familiar character from its print iterations and the ability for users to affect the storyline. The app engages children with its ability to be familiar, fun and ‘silly’ each time it is used. It is also a great way to encourage children to write their own stories through Pigeon’s guidance as the main character.

References

Bozkurt, A. & Bozkaya, M. (2015). Evaluation criteria for interactive e-books for open and distance learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 16(5), 58-82. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1077792.pdf

Disney Publishing Worldwide Applications. (2017). Don’t let Pigeon run this app! (Version 1.3) [Mobile app.]. Apple App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dont-let-pigeon-run-this-app/id459749670

Kucirkova, N. (2018). How and why to create and read children’s digital books: A guide for primary practitioners. UCL Press.

Lamb, A. (2011). Reading redefined for a transmedia universe. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(3), 12-17.

Turrion Penelas, C. (2015). Electronic literature for children: Characterising narrative apps (2010-2014). In M. Manrisa & N. Real (Eds.), Digital Literature for Children: Texts, Readers and Educational Practices. (pp. 87-102). P.I.E. Peter Lang.

Walsh, M. (2013). Literature in a digital environment. In L. McDonald (Ed.),  A literature companion for teachers. Primary English Teaching Association PEETA.

Yokota, J. & Teale, W. H. (2014). Picture books and the digital world: educators making informed choices. The Reading Teacher, 34(6).