A Whimsical Trip Around the World If you have ever found yourself nostalgic for "It's a Small World," the ride found at Disney theme parks, here is your chance to take your children on the popular boat trip around the globe on an iPad instead. The app, from Disney Publishing Worldwide, was inspired by a children's book illustrated by Joey Chou. The artwork is beautifully rendered, evoking the charm and delight of the ride without being overly saccharine. The animation is simple: as on the ride, children and animals dance and wave, but in the app, the reader can control their movements. A touch or swipe with a finger can make flowers grow, ducks glide, balloons pop and children laugh. The app, which costs $3.99 and is available at Apple's App Store, has two navigation tools. The first allows the reader to scroll through the scenes like the pages of a book. The second allows the reader to jump to a specific destination via hot-air balloon. Geographical borders do not exist and the countries meld into one another, creating a fluidity of cultures, sounds and colors. Along the way, the scenes drift by as children sing the beloved song, written in 1963 by the Sherman brothers, Robert and Richard. The children's voices are accompanied by a light jazz ensemble that changes to reflect the various cultures. The app ends with greetings from children around the world in their native tongues, followed by a fireworks show and a sing-along. I took the journey with my 2-year-old niece, who was enthralled by the sounds and animation. As each scene floated past, she explored the exotic lands, counting the children and naming the colors. We ended the story with a simple plea from her: Again! A word of caution: sharing this ride with children may lead to repeated trips.