What started as a family exercise is now a thriving business. Learn more about Ahoiii Entertainment and their products on their website. Fiete Puzzle (iOS, Free, IAP, $1.99; PreS) is one of a family of apps designed by Ahoiii Entertainment, an international developer based in Germany. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a choice of two puzzles. Should parents wish to unlock the in-app purchase, seven more puzzles become accessible. Choices include familiar landscapes such as a farm, a campfire, a construction zone, mealtime, and a city at night. Each landscape or setting features several scenes, each of which contains two or three shadows that correspond in shape to the puzzle pieces that appear one at a time in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Viewers then drag and drop pieces into the correct spot. The placement of some of the animals or objects will take more discernment (for example, a donkey and a zebra on one page are fairly similar in outline), but mostly differ significantly in shape and size. Two of the scenes incorporate number concepts.

Children may need assistance initially in understanding the operation of the app as there's no narration to guide their use, and the only drag-and-drop visual direction appears on opening the app. Upon completion of a puzzle, a burst of confetti displays on the screen. Sound effects, though minimal, also accompany the activities. Some animals make their respective noises (cows moo and horses neigh), but other images, such as cars and other forms of transportation, make no sound when touched. The characters are relatively stationary; each repeats a nearly identical phrase when tapped. The colorful illustrations in each puzzle are undoubtedly the best part of the app, with pictures reminiscent of a picture book. A trailer is available. VERDICT While offering young children an opportunity to exercise their fine-motor and visual discrimination skills, the app lacks verbal cues and will need to be introduced by an adult.—Stephanie Rivera, Glen Ellyn Public Library

Screen from Fiete Puzzle (Ahoiii Entertainment)