Love!
I have one that hates to read, and I have to make him get off this app because he Loves it! His reading has definitely improved!
Paid for this twice
Worked fine on my phone for my boys to play with. Got my son an iPad and had to pay for it again. Only this time, went to sign in and have tried multiple times but won’t app just stalls. So bought it but unless you sign in (which it won’t let me do), you can’t use it. Waste of money.
Science of reading
As someone trained in the science of reading, I was excited to try this app, but I encountered a few instructional choices that gave me pause.
For example, the app uses an orange to teach the short o sound. However, orange does not begin with the short /ŏ/ sound—it begins with an r-controlled vowel sound (/or/). When children are first learning letter-sound correspondences, it's important to use clear, accurate examples.
Another activity instructed my child to "click the sound /s/" but then displayed both the letters c and s. Since both letters can represent the /s/ sound, the prompt was ambiguous and left my child confused. If the goal is to assess phoneme recognition, the activity should avoid multiple correct answers unless alternate spellings have already been explicitly taught.
These may seem like small details, but accurate, explicit instruction is foundational in the science of reading. Young learners benefit from consistent examples that reduce confusion rather than introduce exceptions too early. I appreciate the app's engaging format, but I hope these instructional choices are reconsidered to better support beginning readers
For example, the app uses an orange to teach the short o sound. However, orange does not begin with the short /ŏ/ sound—it begins with an r-controlled vowel sound (/or/). When children are first learning letter-sound correspondences, it's important to use clear, accurate examples.
Another activity instructed my child to "click the sound /s/" but then displayed both the letters c and s. Since both letters can represent the /s/ sound, the prompt was ambiguous and left my child confused. If the goal is to assess phoneme recognition, the activity should avoid multiple correct answers unless alternate spellings have already been explicitly taught.
These may seem like small details, but accurate, explicit instruction is foundational in the science of reading. Young learners benefit from consistent examples that reduce confusion rather than introduce exceptions too early. I appreciate the app's engaging format, but I hope these instructional choices are reconsidered to better support beginning readers
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5 stars
It is so fun and my kids have learned a lot
Man oh man
So fun
Disappointing
You wanna know how bad this app is? They don’t pronounce some letters correctly. Example: The P sound is a keyboard clap sound. I have to tell my kiddo, that’s not correct, p is ppuu. That’s how bad this app is. And the whole thing is amateur city.
Engaging but educationally inconsistent
This app is engaging, colourful, and fun for children to use. However, the learning levels are very inconsistent and often do not match students’ abilities. Children who are still learning the alphabet are being asked to spell words such as “cancel” and “eyes,” which is developmentally inappropriate. Many activities also allow students to guess their way through challenges, making it difficult to determine whether real learning is taking place. While the app is entertaining, its educational progression needs significant improvement.
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Effective
This app started great & has only improved over the years we used it. Both of my children used it as a help to learn to read. It was enjoyable and effective for them.
Selfish with terrible morals
They have decided that their previous user base will no longer have access to a product which was sold as lifetime access by putting EVERY user (ie new and previous payees) behind a subscription based model. Deplorable behaviour for a company whose alleged USP centres around children’s education… what a load of crock!
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Disappointing Update
Update:
The TYM team was really receptive and responsive to feedback about their update. I appreciate their communication and transparency. They followed up and said current paid users get full access to the new app/update. Thank you!
Feb 21, 2026:
I paid for the original app in full and am pretty frustrated to hear that it is now switching to a subscription model. The app is only giving 45 days notice (which they’re calling “providing this notice well in advance”) and a free trial.
I originally really enjoyed this app for gamifying reading for my son but this sudden switch up is really disappointing. So far there’s no offer to compensate in any way for the original purchase for full access. :(
I get the need for revenue and further funds to develop/support the game but they’re describing this as “a brand-new version of Teach Your Monster to Read.” Why not keep the original app as free access for the original users who have paid and then release a separate version 2 subscription model with the new features. Why is there the need to take away access to the original product that we’ve paid for? This is so deceptive.
The TYM team was really receptive and responsive to feedback about their update. I appreciate their communication and transparency. They followed up and said current paid users get full access to the new app/update. Thank you!
Feb 21, 2026:
I paid for the original app in full and am pretty frustrated to hear that it is now switching to a subscription model. The app is only giving 45 days notice (which they’re calling “providing this notice well in advance”) and a free trial.
I originally really enjoyed this app for gamifying reading for my son but this sudden switch up is really disappointing. So far there’s no offer to compensate in any way for the original purchase for full access. :(
I get the need for revenue and further funds to develop/support the game but they’re describing this as “a brand-new version of Teach Your Monster to Read.” Why not keep the original app as free access for the original users who have paid and then release a separate version 2 subscription model with the new features. Why is there the need to take away access to the original product that we’ve paid for? This is so deceptive.
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Redeemed behavior
I must give credit where credit is due, the developer listened to feedback regarding how the shift to a subscription model was unfair to those that already paid for the full app experience. They’ve decided to change course and “grandfather” us into the new app experience! Thank you for reasonable. This had always been a great app and my daughter learned a lot from it. I’m excited that my newborn will also get to experience it in a few more years!
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Great app
Glad they reversed course and will honor all prior purchases. Shows they really do care.
Learning to Read Through Play
My child absolutely loved this app, and it became a great supplement to our reading journey. We spent time together working through the lessons, practicing letter sounds, and building early reading skills. The games kept my child engaged, and they especially loved collecting monster clothes and learning the Trickies.
I also want to update my previous concerns regarding the move to a subscription model. The developers clarified that users who had already purchased access would continue to have access as normal, and I appreciate them taking the time to address that concern.
Overall, this app was a fun and effective part of helping my child learn to read. It kept learning enjoyable, encouraged practice, and helped build confidence along the way. I would definitely recommend it to other parents looking for an engaging reading app for their children.
I also want to update my previous concerns regarding the move to a subscription model. The developers clarified that users who had already purchased access would continue to have access as normal, and I appreciate them taking the time to address that concern.
Overall, this app was a fun and effective part of helping my child learn to read. It kept learning enjoyable, encouraged practice, and helped build confidence along the way. I would definitely recommend it to other parents looking for an engaging reading app for their children.
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Muy mal
Me han cobrado sin autorizacion, y no hay manera de borrar la cuenta.
He tenido que llamar al banco para bloquearlos.
He tenido que llamar al banco para bloquearlos.
Literally taught my kid to read
We put this and Teach Your Monster Numbers on an old iPad for our kid as a timed reward for potty training when M&Ms no longer did the trick. 10-20 minutes per successful potty trip.
Not only has he had successful potty training, he’s sounding out and spelling words and counting to 100 at age 3.
These apps are fun, they’re fun to watch and were fun to play with him when he was figuring out and he still loves them when playing independently.
MY ONE REQUEST: to access the settings, I’d love something other than “enter your birth year”. Kiddo has figured out if the number is low enough, he can get in and change settings and he LOVES logging out. Not sure why. There’s no challenge to log out and the challenge to access the settings just isn’t tough enough. Would be great if it were a pin or a somewhat complicated math question.
Not only has he had successful potty training, he’s sounding out and spelling words and counting to 100 at age 3.
These apps are fun, they’re fun to watch and were fun to play with him when he was figuring out and he still loves them when playing independently.
MY ONE REQUEST: to access the settings, I’d love something other than “enter your birth year”. Kiddo has figured out if the number is low enough, he can get in and change settings and he LOVES logging out. Not sure why. There’s no challenge to log out and the challenge to access the settings just isn’t tough enough. Would be great if it were a pin or a somewhat complicated math question.
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Great App, But the Subscription Change Feels Unfair
Awesome app. My kid has learned a lot from using it and it’s been completely worth the purchase.
My only issue is that it’s moving to a subscription model. I already paid for the app, and now if I update it, I’ll lose what I originally purchased. Because of that, I now have to turn off automatic updates on my iPad just to keep the version I paid for.
Turning off automatic updates is also pretty annoying because now I have to manually monitor all my apps just to prevent this one app from updating automatically.
That feels a little unfair to longtime users who supported the app early on.
My only issue is that it’s moving to a subscription model. I already paid for the app, and now if I update it, I’ll lose what I originally purchased. Because of that, I now have to turn off automatic updates on my iPad just to keep the version I paid for.
Turning off automatic updates is also pretty annoying because now I have to manually monitor all my apps just to prevent this one app from updating automatically.
That feels a little unfair to longtime users who supported the app early on.
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Outrageous behavior
Just found out that this app will be moving to a subscription model and if you paid the already significant price for this app, you’ll still be forced to pay for a subscription to access all features of the app. That’s greedy and outrageous behavior
Rip off - stealing
I paid for access to this app and they are removing it from me to go to a subscription model. This is such a ripoff and a disgrace. What a terrible company. Do not pay them. The quality is mediocre, I recommend any of their competitors.
Don’t Buy This
Bought this a few weeks ago. They’ve already announced they’re killing the purchased version later this year. What you pay for today will stop working and be replaced by a subscription you’ll have to pay again for.
Shameful conduct by any company, especially a supposed foundation.
Shameful conduct by any company, especially a supposed foundation.
Disappointing Update
I paid for the original app in full and am pretty frustrated to hear that it is now switching to a subscription model. The app is only giving 45 days notice (which they’re calling “providing this notice well in advance”) and a free trial.
I originally really enjoyed this app for gamifying reading for my son but this sudden switch up is really disappointing. So far there’s no offer to compensate in any way for the original purchase for full access. :(
I get the need for revenue and further funds to develop/support the game but they’re describing this as “a brand-new version of Teach Your Monster to Read.” Why not keep the original app as free access for the original users who have paid and then release a separate version 2 subscription model with the new features. Why is there the need to take away access to the original product that we’ve paid for? This is so deceptive.
I originally really enjoyed this app for gamifying reading for my son but this sudden switch up is really disappointing. So far there’s no offer to compensate in any way for the original purchase for full access. :(
I get the need for revenue and further funds to develop/support the game but they’re describing this as “a brand-new version of Teach Your Monster to Read.” Why not keep the original app as free access for the original users who have paid and then release a separate version 2 subscription model with the new features. Why is there the need to take away access to the original product that we’ve paid for? This is so deceptive.
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