Storybooks for young audiences

Esther's is advertised as a game for young kids. It's about two mice trying to order brunch at a café, but the host, a human girl, cannot understand them. Humorous attempts to communicate soon follow. The story is sweet, and the gameplay is streamlined. It's a good pick for younger ages because of its short length, minimal technicality, and lower word count. The artwork is strongly reminiscent of a children's book. An IFComp entry.

I've reviewed this game.

This game takes inspiration from the "Just So Stories" series by Rudyard Kipling who wrote children's literature that featured fantasy driven narratives that "explained" how certain animals came to be what they are.

Here, you play as a child listening to a family member telling a unique interpretation of a "Just So Story." There is some excellent art of animals- not for every scene- but they provide strong visuals for the story. It does feature the theme of animals eating animals, but is non-explicit. An IFComp entry.

You play as a young girl on a mission to buy oranges at a busy market. It has a low word count paired with high quality writing. The story is endearing and there are illustrations on every page that immerse the viewer. The player only has a few opportunities to make choices, making it closer to a picture book without sacrificing interactivity entirely. Gameplay is short and there are also multiple endings.

I've reviewed this game. One of my favorites on the list.

This is another game intended for kids. You play as Tin Mug, a mug eager to celebrate your birthday. It does have a higher word count, but gameplay is simple. You have no more than two choices at a time, and there is no wrong answer. There is also some fun character artwork that I can envision in a storybook. I believe Strand is technically parser-hybrid, but The Tin Mug is exclusively choice-based. An IFComp entry.

I've reviewed this game.

This is a good option for young, young players who need minimal text. It is about a frog exploring space while making friends. There are basic but charming artwork on nearly every page and the gameplay is extremely simple. All you must do is click on the green links. Story is endearing and easy to follow.

I've reviewed this game.

I was conflicted on whether to include this, but it's a great candidate that I didn't want to exclude. This is a fantasy/sci-fi story about a rabbit trying to save its warren from falling rocks. The artwork? Breathtaking and extensive. It's like reading an elaborate picture book. Gameplay is also a bit more advanced.

I am pretty sure it was not designed with kids in mind. Content-wise, it has themes of endangerment you will not find in the other games on this list. And yet, I could totally see myself playing this in 5th grade. An IFComp entry.