Reviews of Ollie's Handwriting & Phonics

By: Blue Mango LLC App

List of user reviews and ratings for Ollie's Handwriting & Phonics

Total ratings

4.40 (Rating count: 84)

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Review summary

Users broadly praise Ollie’s Handwriting & Phonics for engaging visuals, motivating tracing, and kid-friendly design that supports handwriting and early literacy. The most recurring downside is content incompleteness: the alphabet often stops at M and some letters are blocked or missing. Overall, the app is well-liked and used in homes and learning centers, though some users report minor issues (e.g., sound or device transfer) that are less frequent. It remains a strong handwriting tool with room for expanding content.

Pros

Engaging visuals and kid-friendly design (cute owl, graphics) that appeal to children
See-then-do tracing with positive reinforcement (stars, cheering) keeps kids motivated
Flexible tracing features (outline option, ability to write with a stylus, supports pencil grip)
Generally effective for handwriting practice and early literacy
Positive reception in homes and learning settings, with easy-to-understand interface for kids

Cons

Alphabet stops at M; rest of letters are not available
Some letters appear blocked or missing, hindering practice across multiple reviews

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 3.20

All time rating average: 4.40

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5% (1)

Date	Author	Comment
2025-01-29	Th*****	First problem noticed is that the lowercase T is not correct - this is relatively minor when we are talking early learning, but still isn’t good. Next issue is HUGE - just like the view of the app preview shows the slides sideways - this isn’t a fluke and is how it is in the app as well. The words and certain times of the larger chalk board coming up are completely sideways and it has no ability to be adjusted. Using on iPad pro
First problem noticed is that the lowercase T is not correct - this is relatively minor when we are talking early learning, but still isn’t good. Next issue is HUGE - just like the view of the app preview shows the slides sideways - this isn’t a fluke and is how it is in the app as well. The words and certain times of the larger chalk board coming up are completely sideways and it has no ability to be adjusted. Using on iPad pro
2023-09-09	Xa*****	Good app
Good app
2021-05-12	ad*****	The app had sound when tracing but now I cannot get the sound to work. I’ve deleted th app and reinstalled in twice and it’s still not working. Help!
The app had sound when tracing but now I cannot get the sound to work. I’ve deleted th app and reinstalled in twice and it’s still not working. Help!
2020-09-25	ha*****	I like this app but I get irritated when I have to pay to buy half of it.
I like this app but I get irritated when I have to pay to buy half of it.
2020-03-31	Go*****	Purchased the app and enjoyed it, but when I tried to open it on another device (same Apple ID) it said I needed to purchase the app again. Customer service was no help and said it currently isn’t made to be used by a single user on multiple devices ( like iPad AND parent’s phone). A bit of a letdown. Also didn’t transfer to new phone. Kind of a sneaky way to get multiple purchases.
Purchased the app and enjoyed it, but when I tried to open it on another device (same Apple ID) it said I needed to purchase the app again. Customer service was no help and said it currently isn’t made to be used by a single user on multiple devices ( like iPad AND parent’s phone). A bit of a letdown. Also didn’t transfer to new phone. Kind of a sneaky way to get multiple purchases.
2020-02-24	Am*****	This app does not go beyond letter M . It’s disappointing
This app does not go beyond letter M . It’s disappointing
2019-10-04	50*****	Tested by me, Nanny, I was excited to give my girl to help her, only to find out it stopped at M. Not excited anymore.
Tested by me, Nanny, I was excited to give my girl to help her, only to find out it stopped at M. Not excited anymore.
2019-08-23	Ha*****	My daughter is enjoying it but most letters are blocked out and I’ve searched but can’t find a way to fix it.
My daughter is enjoying it but most letters are blocked out and I’ve searched but can’t find a way to fix it.
2019-01-24	be*****	My son is learning a lot, but the letters only go up to m. Is there a way to get the rest of the alphabet?
My son is learning a lot, but the letters only go up to m. Is there a way to get the rest of the alphabet?
2017-10-20	Be*****	I looked at every handwriting app there was and finally found Ollie's! I had given up.... I use it in my learning center and recommend it to my parents. Other apps were incorrect and in consistent with stroke order. I couldn't find any with corresponding letter sounds. I love the see then do. I have my students use this with a stylus to more approximate pencil and paper writing, and to practice proper pencil grip. Love it!
I looked at every handwriting app there was and finally found Ollie's! I had given up.... I use it in my learning center and recommend it to my parents. Other apps were incorrect and in consistent with stroke order. I couldn't find any with corresponding letter sounds. I love the see then do. I have my students use this with a stylus to more approximate pencil and paper writing, and to practice proper pencil grip. Love it!