# Hairy Maclary — ...from Donaldson's Dairy

> Interactive digital storybook with narration, sign language, and creative features for early learning. (iPhone/iPad app by Kiwa Digital Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hairy-maclary/id383481759 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kiwa Digital Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/336728313)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $1.99 (on sale, was $3.99)
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 41 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 217 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-07-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-17
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hairy-maclary/id383481759/reviews.md

## What is Hairy Maclary?

The immensely popular Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is now available as an interactive KIWA Book with wonderful narration by David Tennant (Good Omens, Doctor Who).  It has also had video narration in 3 sign languages; NZSL, AUSLAN & ASL
 
Run your fingers over the text to hear the story and touch any word to hear and see it spoken and spelt. You can even colour in pages of the story and record your own voice. Hear the barking dogs and the ferocious yowl of Scarface Claw, all part of the interactive experience, giving children and parents’ hours of fun. This is not only a marvellous story, but a superb aid for early learning and literacy development.
 
It was thirty years ago that a small black dog stepped out of the imagination of author and illustrator Lynley Dodd and onto the pages of a picture book. This book, Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, is now famous the world over and the 20 titles in the Hairy Maclary and friends series have now sold more than six million copies worldwide.
 
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy combines simple narrative storytelling with virtuoso use of rhythm and rhyme, and Dodd’s gentle but energetic watercolour illustrations depict characters that are as well loved as they are mischievous.

Features:
• Tap the language button to view the new "Australian sign language" feature.
• Swipe-to-Read™ the words to hear and playback the story at your own pace. 
• Touch-to-Hear™ individual words spoken. 
• Touch-to-Spell™ to hear the letters that spell each and every word. 
• Auto Play to enjoy the narration. 
• Use the My Narration function to read and record the story yourself and customize your book. 
• Paint mode can be used on each story page! 
• Paint has a paint palette, brush width, move and zoom, and undo abilities! 
• Tap the paint palette icon and tap a color to change the paint color! 
• Tap the brush palette icon and change the slider to change the brush size! 


This KIWA Book includes the narration, text, and user interface in this language:

UK English narrated by David Tennant (Doctor Who)
AUSLAN (Australian Sign) signed by Alex Jones
ASL (American Sign) signed by Alex Jones
NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) signed by Josje Lelijveld

PUFFIN BOOKS
© & ™ Hairy Maclary and Friends, Lynley Dodd, 2010
licensed by Penguin Group (NZ)

NEED HELP? 
Contact us: support@kiwadigital.com 

KIWA® is the world’s leading production house for experiential digital books. We partner with publishers and other content owners, using our patented technology to bring content to life in revolutionary new digital formats that deepen your child’s engagement and understanding.

Check out our website: www.kiwadigital.com 
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiwaDigital

## Key features

- Interactive narration by David Tennant
- Video narration in 3 sign languages (NZSL, AUSLAN, ASL)
- Touch words to hear and see them spoken and spelled
- Coloring and painting mode
- Record your own narration
- Swipe-to-Read™ and Auto Play features

## Recent user reviews (10 of 41)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hairy-maclary/id383481759/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Update needed

*2021-03-03, version 4.0.5*

Needs to update its setting as when I click New Zealand sign language and it comes up blank but still hear voice overs. Same goes with American and Australian sign language

### 3/5 — Animal names

*2020-12-24, version 4.0.5*

Mostly just animals names. Got for the Auslan. It is good for descriptive signs, been waiting for them to add sign language in the form of ASL, Auslan or NZSL to the rest of the series but after 2 years it does not seem they will unfortunately.

### 1/5 — Disappointed

*2019-05-17*

Didnt upload properly, the book is downloaded. When my child goes to watch it, on page 9 it shuts down the program.

### 1/5 — Terrible controls

*2019-03-06, version 4.0.2*

So hard to use, don’t waste your money, buy the book.

### 1/5 — Do not purchase

*2018-12-24, version 4.0.2*

This is the second time I have had to purchase the app as it stopped working after the upgrade. Now the app is rubbish. I should have read the reviews first. No longer easy to use, read along with children, no longer easy to colour. Definitely NOT designed for iPad use any more. How can I obtain a refund??

### 3/5 — Had to buy aga

*2018-11-15, version 4.0.2*

My grandchildren love this book. I bought it previously and have been receiving messages that the developer needed to update it, which has never happened. Consequently I’ve had to pay again for a working version......not happy

### 4/5 — Narrated by David Tennant

*2016-11-08, version 4.0.1*

"Narrated by David Tennant (oh, that's me)"

### 1/5 — Crashes on all devices

*2016-10-19, version 4.0*

Please fix this.... It's been crashing since the update on all devices in my home!!

### 1/5 — Was great but now Crashes

*2016-10-11, version 4.0*

Latest update immediately forces the app shut on my sons ipad2 it didn't that before the new ui update, he is distraught as he now can't read his bedtime story.

### 1/5 — No longer works after update

*2016-10-09, version 4.0*

We used to love this but after the recent update it no longer works. Don't purchase it! Buy the books instead because they last!

## Frequently asked questions about Hairy Maclary

### What is this app about?

This app is an interactive digital book based on the popular children's story 'Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy'. It features narration by David Tennant, video narration in multiple sign languages, and interactive elements like touching words to hear them spoken and spelled.

### What are the key interactive features?

Key features include the ability to swipe to read the story at your own pace, touch individual words to hear them spoken and spelled, color in story pages with various tools, and record your own narration of the story.

### How much does this app cost?

The application is a paid app, meaning there is an upfront cost to download and use it. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

### What languages are supported?

The app supports UK English narration by David Tennant. It also includes video narration in Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN), American Sign Language (ASL), and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

### Who is this app for and how can it help?

This app is designed for children and parents. It serves as a superb aid for early learning and literacy development by combining storytelling with interactive features that enhance engagement and understanding.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.9 — 2024-02-13

Updated video function and minor fixes.

### 4.0.8 — 2021-10-20

Fixes letterboxing on new iPad Mini

### 4.0.7 — 2021-07-07

Fixes minor video format issue.

### 4.0.6 — 2021-06-28

Sign Language Videos issue repaired!

### 4.0.5 — 2019-06-06

Fixes a minor glitch!

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All apps by Kiwa Digital Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/336728313

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*
