A while back I received an email from a charming fellow named Harry, one of the creators of a computer game for children called The Land of Me.
The email crackled with wit and wisdom, to quote: ‘I have been looking for a cool, London based parenting blog and yours takes the biscuit!’
Such insight! And from a tech wiz too! How could I resist checking out his product?
The Land of Me is a six part digital storybook aimed at ages 2 to 6. The first chapter is free to download and then you pay just £4.95 per chapter or from £23.95 to unlock all five. Harry generously gave us all six free for the review.
Enter the Land of Me and you’re transported to a magical world of colours, sounds and scenes guided by three main characters: Eric the Racoon, Buddy Boo the Bear and Willow the Owl.
The first thing that struck me is the highly detailed and expressive animation. I felt the same tingle of wonder and enchantment as when I watched Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki.
The creators have clearly put a lot of care into building a rich environment where children can let their imaginations wander. Following the story is simple for the youngest players, with voiceovers as well as written instructions and infinite surprises to reward every click of the mouse.
What I love most about the Land of Me is watching my kids’ faces as they play. The programme is devised to stimulate your child’s creativity with more than 100 printable activities including masks, finger puppets and other tools for your little one to engage with the stories.
In exciting news, the Land of Me has recently partnered with children’s publishers Ladybird to help take it to a global audience. Check out their blog to read about some of the fantastic response they’ve had from schools and special needs education.
I’m a huge fan of the Land of Me but since I’m not their target demographic, here’s what my kids had to say:
Ezra, aged 5
What do you think about Land of Me?
‘Brilliant, I just love it!’
Tell me something fun about Land of Me.
‘I like when you do the Beastie dance and you have to choose the animal and do the actions of the animal.’
What’s your favourite chapter?
‘One of my favourite ones is The World Outside (chapter 2) because the characters tell the eagle where they’ve been, it’s very fun. Also I like Story Time.’
Which character do you like best?
‘Eric the racoon. He’s really cool and he loves to go on adventures and he’s always in the lead. Buddy Boo goes behind and Willow rides on top of Eric’s head! It’s really funny.’
Jed, aged 2
Do you like Land of Me, Jed?
‘Yes. On the ‘puter (computer).’
What do you like about it?
‘Land of Me is funny, Mummy. Can we play?’
Not now, love.
‘Aww.’
Visit the Made in Me shop to try the Land of Me Part 1 for Free!
