# The Baobab > Bilingual ASL and English interactive storybook with illustrations and glossary. (iPhone/iPad app by Gallaudet University.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-baobab/id585916034 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Gallaudet University](https://appshunter.io/developer/514659117) - Category: Education, Books - Price: $4.99 - Rating: 4.40/5 from 28 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 576 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-01-24 - Data updated: 2026-06-02 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-baobab/id585916034/reviews.md ## What is The Baobab? The Baobab is an original story about a curious little girl who embarks on an adventure. Complete with enthralling illustrations and talented American Sign Language (ASL) storytelling, this bilingual interactive storybook app features a rich American Sign Language glossary with 170 English to ASL words. Features: • Original and charming story told in ASL and English! • Vivid Retina supported watercolor illustrations. • Easy & accessible navigation designed for children. • Rich interactive narrative with direct English to ASL vocabulary video translation. • Audio voice-over provided for all vocabulary words. • 170-word American Sign Language glossary! Parents can learn ASL along with their child. • App design is based on proven research in bilingualism and visual learning. The ability to view the story in both, ASL and English leads to greater literacy skills in both languages in young children. All the revenues go towards research and further development of more storybook apps. ## Key features - Original ASL and English story - Vivid watercolor illustrations - Interactive narrative - English to ASL vocabulary translation - Audio voice-over for vocabulary - 170-word ASL glossary - Research-based bilingualism design ## Recent user reviews (10 of 19) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-baobab/id585916034/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Was my daughters favorite *2018-06-02, version 1.1* This was my daughters favourite ASL story until it stopped functioning on her iPad iOS 11. We were told it would be fixed by Feb 2018. It’s now June . ### 1/5 — Please update the app to be compatible with iOS 11 *2018-02-09, version 1.1* I really enjoy this app and can’t use it on iOS 11. ### 2/5 — iOS 11 *2017-12-21, version 1.1* The Baobab hasn’t been updated to run with iOS 11 :(. Hopefully This gets fixed soon! ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2014-05-26, version 1.1* This is an excellent app! It's great for every level of ASL user. I'm enjoying it and my 6 year old loves it and has learned many new vocabulary words from this charming book. Please make more. ### 2/5 — Review by teacher and illustrator *2013-09-30, version 1.1* Things that could be improved: the facial expressions of the girl are difficult to read and do not match the facial expressions of the signer telling the story. The mask on the face of the girl is ridiculous. The signer blocks the view of the girl or other characters quite often. The coloring while nicely done is too pastel. The signing, while well done, is much higher than your typical young deaf child with hearing parents who barely sign. Suggestions: it would be helpful to have a simplified signing option for young children who are deaf and have hearing parents. This way the child could start with the simplified signing. I know from experience young children with limited signing skills will not engage as readily with this type of a signer and book. It's better for them to see it acted out by signers. I do applaud the use of the app medium to creat signing books in ASL and English. Your price is much too high for an app. I, too, develop apps for children and I have learned the price needs to stay below $3 if you really want parents and teachers to buy the app. Good luck with these apps. It is a good idea. ### 3/5 — Great app but would like see more.... *2013-08-12, version 1.1* I'm a Deaf mother of a deaf child and I was told about this app at a family event at a deaf institute so I thought I would check it out since there are not that many app that have ASL along with a book. Te only thing I am disappointed with was that I paid over $6 for one story... I would like to see 5 or 10 stories in ASL to get the bang for my bucks. Overall, my child and I enjoyed the story and would like to see more. ### 5/5 — More stories?? *2013-06-04, version 1.1* I really love this video! My 9 year old daughter also loves it! It is really helping her with her signs, now she is more excited about learning signs and being able to communicate more with her Deaf grandparents, which makes me very happy!!! I wish there were more stories! Especially to keep her interest, are there plans for updates with more stories? The signing is so beautiful and the woman signing has such a friendly and inviting face. Very happy to see a deaf woman of color being the language model for so many!! Keep up the good work!!!! (I got another ASL stories app as well, and I must say, the baobab one is much more easy on the eyes, my daughter is more engaged with this one!) ### 5/5 — The Baobab *2013-02-20, version 1.1* This is a wonderful ASL story by a gifted story-teller! I like the "Learn" signed vocabulary option; it shows the signs used in the story. Folks newer to sign will want to remember that these signs are contextual and may not work in all scenarios. I can't wait for more from Gallaudet! ### 5/5 — Wow! Colorful story!!! *2013-02-09, version 1.1* Finally! A book that my kids can enjoy watching signing and reading English. The signing is very wonderful to watch. I love the design of the book. It makes it easier for my kids to follow the story in sign and English. I also love how many vocabulary words in the dictionary. Forget adding a separate sign dictionary app, this app does the trick and makes it more easier to find the words and it applies to the story. I like this better than "signed stories" which has old fat creepy guys signing it. The woman in this story is fantastic! Please add more stories!! ***I strongly suggest that there should be music in the background like Dr. Seuss books or Disney books. There should also be an option for auto play when reading the book. It's hard for my kids to turn the pages. They enjoy the auto reading being 3 and 1 years old. *** ### 5/5 — Fantastic! *2013-02-07, version 1.1* Wonderful and enriching story! My students were engaged and wanted to watch it over and over again. This app had three features, watch video of story teller, read on own (click on words to see the signer again), and sign glossary at end. Very well done VL2!!!! Looking forward to the next series. ## Frequently asked questions about The Baobab ### What is the learning methodology behind The Baobab? The Baobab's design is based on proven research in bilingualism and visual learning. Presenting the story in both ASL and English aims to improve literacy skills in both languages for young children. ### How does The Baobab track progress? The app focuses on vocabulary acquisition and literacy development through interactive elements and a comprehensive ASL glossary. Specific progress tracking metrics are not detailed in the provided information. ### Does The Baobab offer certifications? The Baobab is an educational storybook app designed to enhance language and literacy skills. It does not offer formal certifications upon completion of the story or glossary. ### What is the price of The Baobab? The Baobab is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99. ### On which devices can I use The Baobab? The Baobab is currently supported on iPad devices. ### How often is The Baobab updated? The Baobab was last updated on August 20, 2018, with version 2.0. The frequency of future updates is not specified. ### What do users like most about The Baobab? Users appreciate the original story, enthralling illustrations, and the integration of ASL storytelling. The comprehensive ASL glossary is also a highly valued feature for parents and children. ### Is The Baobab suitable for very young children? The Baobab has an age rating of 4+ and features easy, accessible navigation designed for children. Its bilingual approach and visual learning design are intended for young learners. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 2.0 — 2018-08-20 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Updated framework for compatibility with current iOS settings ### 1.1 — 2013-02-01 + performance optimization + added system settings + bug fixes ### 1.0 — 2012-12-17 No release notes. ## Apps similar to The Baobab | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [digital PSAT math](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-psat-math/id1495723937) | — | $7.99 | Education | | [Insect Bug Identifier AI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/insect-bug-identifier-ai/id6745201534) | 4.7 (63) | Free | Education | | [EchoEnglish–Audio Replay Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echoenglishaudio-replay-tool/id1133575767) | 4.7 (137) | Free | Education | | [Bird Call Identifier: Featha](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bird-call-identifier-featha/id6739812860) | 5.0 (10) | Free | Education | | [My Signing Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-signing-time/id1467819201) | 4.4 (173) | Free | Education | | [Articles Grammar Test PRO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/articles-grammar-test-pro/id1475458043) | — | $1.49 | Education | ## More apps by Gallaudet University - [The Boy Who Cried Wolf VL2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-boy-who-cried-wolf-vl2/id826618004) - [The Blue Lobster](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-blue-lobster/id920137853) - [The Solar System VL2 Storybook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-solar-system-vl2-storybook/id950418754) - [The Little Airplane That Could](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-little-airplane-that-could/id1048265295) - [The Baobab Norwegian Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-baobab-norwegian-edition/id1062098825) All apps by Gallaudet University: https://appshunter.io/developer/514659117 --- *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 2026-06-02.*