Without a doubt, the Handwriting Without Tears system has helped many kids learn to write letters and numbers during the past 30 years of its existence, and this digital version is likely to do the same. Letters appear within HWT-created groups that make sense and minimize frustration. The visual demonstrations and verbal instructions provided by the pleasant-voiced writing coach are crystal-clear, and the colorful letter cards give kids just enough reward without being distracting. Lowercase letters, including double lines kids must stay within on the board, are more difficult than uppercase letters or numbers.

The Handwriting Without Tears' progress-report system is easy to read, although if parents want more detailed reports or to track more than one kid, they have to make in-app purchases on top of the $6.99 app-purchase price. There are other very good, less expensive tracing and early handwriting apps available. Still, for kids who need a very consistent handwriting system and for parents who want lots of support and progress information, Handwriting Without Tears is worth the price.