initial 1.0 release

14 files changed, 685 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AccentColor.colorset/Contents.json b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AccentColor.colorset/Contents.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d90b065
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AccentColor.colorset/Contents.json
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+{
+  "colors" : [
+    {
+      "color" : {
+        "platform" : "universal",
+        "reference" : "systemOrangeColor"
+      },
+      "idiom" : "universal"
+    }
+  ],
+  "info" : {
+    "author" : "xcode",
+    "version" : 1
+  }
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/Contents.json b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/Contents.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da79705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/Contents.json
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+{
+  "images" : [
+    {
+      "filename" : "logo_1024.png",
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    },
+    {
+      "appearances" : [
+        {
+          "appearance" : "luminosity",
+          "value" : "dark"
+        }
+      ],
+      "filename" : "logo_dark_1024.png",
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    },
+    {
+      "appearances" : [
+        {
+          "appearance" : "luminosity",
+          "value" : "tinted"
+        }
+      ],
+      "idiom" : "universal",
+      "platform" : "ios",
+      "size" : "1024x1024"
+    }
+  ],
+  "info" : {
+    "author" : "xcode",
+    "version" : 1
+  }
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_1024.png b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_1024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..efbe0ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_1024.png
diff --git a/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_dark_1024.png b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_dark_1024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ec4266
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset/logo_dark_1024.png
diff --git a/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/Contents.json b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/Contents.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73c0059
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/Assets.xcassets/Contents.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "info" : {
+    "author" : "xcode",
+    "version" : 1
+  }
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/ContentView.swift b/DayByDay/ContentView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3ede7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/ContentView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+//
+//  ContentView.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+//  Created by cmc on 2026-03-09.
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+struct ContentView: View {
+    @State private var selectedTab = 0
+    @AppStorage("hasSeenVoiceTip") private var hasSeenVoiceTip = false
+
+    private let tabs: [(label: String, symbol: String)] = [
+        ("Days", "calendar"),
+        ("Months", "calendar.badge.clock"),
+        ("Seasons", "leaf.fill"),
+    ]
+
+    var body: some View {
+        VStack(spacing: 0) {
+            Group {
+                switch selectedTab {
+                case 0:  DaysOfWeekView()
+                case 1:  MonthsOfYearView()
+                default: SeasonsView()
+                }
+            }
+            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, maxHeight: .infinity)
+
+            Divider()
+
+            // Bottom tab bar with large tap targets
+            HStack(spacing: 0) {
+                ForEach(Array(tabs.enumerated()), id: \.offset) { index, tab in
+                    Button {
+                        selectedTab = index
+                    } label: {
+                        VStack(spacing: 6) {
+                            Image(systemName: tab.symbol)
+                                .font(.system(size: 32))
+                            Text(tab.label)
+                                .font(.system(size: 18, weight: .semibold, design: .rounded))
+                        }
+                        .foregroundStyle(selectedTab == index ? Color.accentColor : Color.secondary)
+                        .frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
+                        .padding(.vertical, 14)
+                        .contentShape(Rectangle())
+                    }
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                    .accessibilityLabel(tab.label)
+                }
+            }
+            .padding(.horizontal, 24)
+            .padding(.bottom, 8)
+            .background(.bar)
+        }
+        .overlay {
+            if !hasSeenVoiceTip {
+                VoiceTipOverlay {
+                    withAnimation { hasSeenVoiceTip = true }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// A one-time informational overlay for parents explaining how to download
+/// a higher-quality voice for the best experience. Dismissed with a single tap.
+struct VoiceTipOverlay: View {
+    let onDismiss: () -> Void
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ZStack {
+            Color.black.opacity(0.4)
+                .ignoresSafeArea()
+
+            VStack(spacing: 20) {
+                Image(systemName: "speaker.wave.3.fill")
+                    .font(.system(size: 48))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.blue)
+
+                Text("Better Voices Available")
+                    .font(.system(size: 28, weight: .bold, design: .rounded))
+
+                Text("For the best experience, download an enhanced voice on your iPad.\n\nSettings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Voices → English → tap a voice marked Enhanced or Premium to download it.")
+                    .font(.system(size: 18, design: .rounded))
+                    .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
+                    .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+
+                Text("Tap anywhere to dismiss")
+                    .font(.system(size: 16, weight: .medium, design: .rounded))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.tertiary)
+                    .padding(.top, 8)
+            }
+            .padding(40)
+            .frame(maxWidth: 520)
+            .background(
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                    .fill(.regularMaterial)
+            )
+        }
+        .contentShape(Rectangle())
+        .onTapGesture(perform: onDismiss)
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    ContentView()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/DayByDayApp.swift b/DayByDay/DayByDayApp.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2cce4db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/DayByDayApp.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+//
+//  DayByDayApp.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+//  Created by cmc on 2026-03-09.
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+@main
+struct DayByDayApp: App {
+    var body: some Scene {
+        WindowGroup {
+            ContentView()
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/DayCard.swift b/DayByDay/DayCard.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ee3614
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/DayCard.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+//
+//  DayCard.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// A single large, colorful card representing one day of the week.
+/// Tapping the card plays a bounce animation and speaks the day name aloud.
+struct DayCard: View {
+    let day: DayOfWeek
+    var isHighlighted = false
+    @State private var isTapped = false
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ZStack {
+            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                .fill(day.color.gradient)
+                .shadow(color: day.color.opacity(0.4), radius: 8, y: 4)
+
+            VStack(spacing: 16) {
+                Image(systemName: day.symbol)
+                    .font(.system(size: 64))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .symbolRenderingMode(.hierarchical)
+
+                Text(day.name)
+                    .font(.system(size: 32, weight: .bold, design: .rounded))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+            }
+        }
+        .overlay {
+            if isHighlighted {
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                    .strokeBorder(.white, lineWidth: 5)
+            }
+        }
+        .shadow(color: isHighlighted ? .white.opacity(0.8) : .clear, radius: 12)
+        .scaleEffect(isTapped ? 1.12 : (isHighlighted ? 1.04 : 1.0))
+        .contentShape(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous))
+        .rotation3DEffect(.degrees(isTapped ? 6 : 0), axis: (x: 1, y: 0, z: 0))
+        .animation(.spring(response: 0.35, dampingFraction: 0.5), value: isTapped)
+        .onTapGesture {
+            isTapped = true
+            SpeechSynthesizer.shared.speak(day.name)
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.4) {
+                isTapped = false
+            }
+        }
+        .accessibilityLabel(day.name)
+        .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Day model
+
+enum DayOfWeek: Int, CaseIterable, Identifiable {
+    case sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday
+
+    var id: Int { rawValue }
+
+    /// The day of the week for today's date.
+    static var current: DayOfWeek {
+        // Calendar weekday: 1 = Sunday, 7 = Saturday
+        let weekday = Calendar.current.component(.weekday, from: Date())
+        return DayOfWeek(rawValue: weekday - 1)!
+    }
+
+    var name: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .sunday:    "Sunday"
+        case .monday:    "Monday"
+        case .tuesday:   "Tuesday"
+        case .wednesday: "Wednesday"
+        case .thursday:  "Thursday"
+        case .friday:    "Friday"
+        case .saturday:  "Saturday"
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A recognisable SF Symbol icon for each day so children who cannot read
+    /// still get a unique visual cue.
+    var symbol: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .sunday:    "sun.max.fill"
+        case .monday:    "moon.fill"
+        case .tuesday:   "star.fill"
+        case .wednesday: "cloud.fill"
+        case .thursday:  "bolt.fill"
+        case .friday:    "heart.fill"
+        case .saturday:  "sparkles"
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Bright, child-friendly colour for each card.
+    var color: Color {
+        switch self {
+        case .sunday:    Color(red: 1.0, green: 0.6, blue: 0.2)   // orange
+        case .monday:    Color(red: 0.35, green: 0.5, blue: 0.9)  // blue
+        case .tuesday:   Color(red: 0.9, green: 0.3, blue: 0.4)   // red-pink
+        case .wednesday: Color(red: 0.3, green: 0.75, blue: 0.45) // green
+        case .thursday:  Color(red: 0.55, green: 0.4, blue: 0.9)  // purple
+        case .friday:    Color(red: 1.0, green: 0.8, blue: 0.2)   // yellow
+        case .saturday:  Color(red: 0.2, green: 0.8, blue: 0.8)   // teal
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    HStack(spacing: 24) {
+        DayCard(day: .wednesday, isHighlighted: true)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+        DayCard(day: .thursday)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+    }
+    .padding()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/DaysOfWeekView.swift b/DayByDay/DaysOfWeekView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aed32cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/DaysOfWeekView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//
+//  DaysOfWeekView.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Displays all seven days of the week as large, tappable cards in a scrollable grid.
+/// Adapts between 1 and 2 columns depending on available width.
+struct DaysOfWeekView: View {
+    private let columns = [
+        GridItem(.adaptive(minimum: 300, maximum: 500), spacing: 24)
+    ]
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ScrollView {
+            LazyVGrid(columns: columns, spacing: 24) {
+                ForEach(DayOfWeek.allCases) { day in
+                    DayCard(day: day, isHighlighted: day == .current)
+                        .frame(height: 200)
+                }
+            }
+            .padding(32)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    DaysOfWeekView()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/MonthCard.swift b/DayByDay/MonthCard.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f462fd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/MonthCard.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+//
+//  MonthCard.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// A single large, colorful card representing one month of the year.
+/// Tapping the card plays a bounce animation and speaks the month name aloud.
+struct MonthCard: View {
+    let month: MonthOfYear
+    var isHighlighted = false
+    @State private var isTapped = false
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ZStack {
+            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                .fill(month.color.gradient)
+                .shadow(color: month.color.opacity(0.4), radius: 8, y: 4)
+
+            VStack(spacing: 16) {
+                Image(systemName: month.symbol)
+                    .font(.system(size: 64))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .symbolRenderingMode(.hierarchical)
+
+                Text(month.name)
+                    .font(.system(size: 32, weight: .bold, design: .rounded))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+            }
+        }
+        .overlay {
+            if isHighlighted {
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                    .strokeBorder(.white, lineWidth: 5)
+            }
+        }
+        .shadow(color: isHighlighted ? .white.opacity(0.8) : .clear, radius: 12)
+        .scaleEffect(isTapped ? 1.12 : (isHighlighted ? 1.04 : 1.0))
+        .contentShape(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous))
+        .rotation3DEffect(.degrees(isTapped ? 6 : 0), axis: (x: 1, y: 0, z: 0))
+        .animation(.spring(response: 0.35, dampingFraction: 0.5), value: isTapped)
+        .onTapGesture {
+            isTapped = true
+            SpeechSynthesizer.shared.speak(month.name)
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.4) {
+                isTapped = false
+            }
+        }
+        .accessibilityLabel(month.name)
+        .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Month model
+
+enum MonthOfYear: Int, CaseIterable, Identifiable {
+    case january, february, march, april, may, june,
+         july, august, september, october, november, december
+
+    var id: Int { rawValue }
+
+    /// The month for today's date.
+    static var current: MonthOfYear {
+        // Calendar month: 1 = January, 12 = December
+        let month = Calendar.current.component(.month, from: Date())
+        return MonthOfYear(rawValue: month - 1)!
+    }
+
+    var name: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .january:   "January"
+        case .february:  "February"
+        case .march:     "March"
+        case .april:     "April"
+        case .may:       "May"
+        case .june:      "June"
+        case .july:      "July"
+        case .august:    "August"
+        case .september: "September"
+        case .october:   "October"
+        case .november:  "November"
+        case .december:  "December"
+        }
+    }
+
+    var symbol: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .january:   "snowflake"
+        case .february:  "heart.fill"
+        case .march:     "wind"
+        case .april:     "cloud.rain.fill"
+        case .may:       "leaf.fill"
+        case .june:      "sun.max.fill"
+        case .july:      "fireworks"
+        case .august:    "beach.umbrella.fill"
+        case .september: "book.fill"
+        case .october:   "moon.stars.fill"
+        case .november:  "fork.knife"
+        case .december:  "gift.fill"
+        }
+    }
+
+    var color: Color {
+        switch self {
+        case .january:   Color(red: 0.55, green: 0.75, blue: 0.95) // ice blue
+        case .february:  Color(red: 0.9, green: 0.35, blue: 0.5)   // pink
+        case .march:     Color(red: 0.45, green: 0.8, blue: 0.55)  // spring green
+        case .april:     Color(red: 0.5, green: 0.65, blue: 0.9)   // rain blue
+        case .may:       Color(red: 0.95, green: 0.7, blue: 0.2)   // golden
+        case .june:      Color(red: 1.0, green: 0.55, blue: 0.25)  // warm orange
+        case .july:      Color(red: 0.85, green: 0.25, blue: 0.3)  // red
+        case .august:    Color(red: 0.2, green: 0.75, blue: 0.8)   // ocean teal
+        case .september: Color(red: 0.6, green: 0.45, blue: 0.85)  // purple
+        case .october:   Color(red: 0.9, green: 0.5, blue: 0.15)   // pumpkin
+        case .november:  Color(red: 0.7, green: 0.5, blue: 0.3)    // brown
+        case .december:  Color(red: 0.3, green: 0.5, blue: 0.85)   // winter blue
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    HStack(spacing: 24) {
+        MonthCard(month: .march, isHighlighted: true)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+        MonthCard(month: .april)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+    }
+    .padding()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/MonthsOfYearView.swift b/DayByDay/MonthsOfYearView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb8e002
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/MonthsOfYearView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//
+//  MonthsOfYearView.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Displays all twelve months as large, tappable cards in a scrollable grid.
+/// Adapts between 1 and 2 columns depending on available width.
+struct MonthsOfYearView: View {
+    private let columns = [
+        GridItem(.adaptive(minimum: 300, maximum: 500), spacing: 24)
+    ]
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ScrollView {
+            LazyVGrid(columns: columns, spacing: 24) {
+                ForEach(MonthOfYear.allCases) { month in
+                    MonthCard(month: month, isHighlighted: month == .current)
+                        .frame(height: 200)
+                }
+            }
+            .padding(32)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    MonthsOfYearView()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/SeasonCard.swift b/DayByDay/SeasonCard.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c84dfb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/SeasonCard.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+//
+//  SeasonCard.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// A single large, colorful card representing one season.
+/// Tapping the card plays a bounce animation and speaks the season name aloud.
+struct SeasonCard: View {
+    let season: Season
+    var isHighlighted = false
+    @State private var isTapped = false
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ZStack {
+            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                .fill(season.color.gradient)
+                .shadow(color: season.color.opacity(0.4), radius: 8, y: 4)
+
+            VStack(spacing: 16) {
+                Image(systemName: season.symbol)
+                    .font(.system(size: 64))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .symbolRenderingMode(.hierarchical)
+
+                Text(season.name)
+                    .font(.system(size: 32, weight: .bold, design: .rounded))
+                    .foregroundStyle(.white)
+            }
+        }
+        .overlay {
+            if isHighlighted {
+                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous)
+                    .strokeBorder(.white, lineWidth: 5)
+            }
+        }
+        .shadow(color: isHighlighted ? .white.opacity(0.8) : .clear, radius: 12)
+        .scaleEffect(isTapped ? 1.12 : (isHighlighted ? 1.04 : 1.0))
+        .contentShape(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 32, style: .continuous))
+        .rotation3DEffect(.degrees(isTapped ? 6 : 0), axis: (x: 1, y: 0, z: 0))
+        .animation(.spring(response: 0.35, dampingFraction: 0.5), value: isTapped)
+        .onTapGesture {
+            isTapped = true
+            SpeechSynthesizer.shared.speak(season.name)
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.4) {
+                isTapped = false
+            }
+        }
+        .accessibilityLabel(season.name)
+        .accessibilityAddTraits(.isButton)
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Season model
+
+enum Season: Int, CaseIterable, Identifiable {
+    case spring, summer, fall, winter
+
+    var id: Int { rawValue }
+
+    /// The season for today's date.
+    /// Spring: March–May, Summer: June–August,
+    /// Fall: September–November, Winter: December–February.
+    static var current: Season {
+        let month = Calendar.current.component(.month, from: Date())
+        switch month {
+        case 3...5:  return .spring
+        case 6...8:  return .summer
+        case 9...11: return .fall
+        default:     return .winter
+        }
+    }
+
+    var name: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .spring: "Spring"
+        case .summer: "Summer"
+        case .fall:   "Fall"
+        case .winter: "Winter"
+        }
+    }
+
+    var symbol: String {
+        switch self {
+        case .spring: "leaf.fill"
+        case .summer: "sun.max.fill"
+        case .fall:   "wind"
+        case .winter: "snowflake"
+        }
+    }
+
+    var color: Color {
+        switch self {
+        case .spring: Color(red: 0.45, green: 0.8, blue: 0.5)   // fresh green
+        case .summer: Color(red: 1.0, green: 0.6, blue: 0.15)   // sunny orange
+        case .fall:   Color(red: 0.85, green: 0.45, blue: 0.2)  // autumn orange
+        case .winter: Color(red: 0.4, green: 0.65, blue: 0.95)  // cool blue
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    HStack(spacing: 24) {
+        SeasonCard(season: .spring, isHighlighted: true)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+        SeasonCard(season: .summer)
+            .frame(width: 200, height: 260)
+    }
+    .padding()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/SeasonsView.swift b/DayByDay/SeasonsView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..848bb13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/SeasonsView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//
+//  SeasonsView.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Displays all four seasons as large, tappable cards in a scrollable grid.
+/// Adapts between 1 and 2 columns depending on available width.
+struct SeasonsView: View {
+    private let columns = [
+        GridItem(.adaptive(minimum: 300, maximum: 500), spacing: 24)
+    ]
+
+    var body: some View {
+        ScrollView {
+            LazyVGrid(columns: columns, spacing: 24) {
+                ForEach(Season.allCases) { season in
+                    SeasonCard(season: season, isHighlighted: season == .current)
+                        .frame(height: 200)
+                }
+            }
+            .padding(32)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#Preview {
+    SeasonsView()
+}
diff --git a/DayByDay/SpeechSynthesizer.swift b/DayByDay/SpeechSynthesizer.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cac5caf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DayByDay/SpeechSynthesizer.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+//
+//  SpeechSynthesizer.swift
+//  DayByDay
+//
+
+import AVFoundation
+
+/// Wrapper around AVSpeechSynthesizer that selects the highest-quality
+/// en-US neural voice available on the device. Falls back gracefully if
+/// premium/enhanced voices haven't been downloaded yet.
+final class SpeechSynthesizer {
+    static let shared = SpeechSynthesizer()
+
+    private let synthesizer = AVSpeechSynthesizer()
+    private let voice: AVSpeechSynthesisVoice?
+
+    private init() {
+        self.voice = Self.bestAvailableVoice()
+    }
+
+    func speak(_ text: String) {
+        if synthesizer.isSpeaking {
+            synthesizer.stopSpeaking(at: .immediate)
+        }
+
+        let utterance = AVSpeechUtterance(string: text)
+        utterance.voice = voice
+        utterance.rate = 0.4
+        utterance.pitchMultiplier = 1.0
+        utterance.preUtteranceDelay = 0
+        synthesizer.speak(utterance)
+    }
+
+    /// Picks the best en-US voice on the device.
+    /// Preference order: premium > enhanced > default quality.
+    /// Skips novelty voices so the child always hears a natural-sounding voice.
+    private static func bestAvailableVoice() -> AVSpeechSynthesisVoice? {
+        let candidates = AVSpeechSynthesisVoice.speechVoices().filter { voice in
+            voice.language.hasPrefix("en-US")
+            && !voice.voiceTraits.contains(.isNoveltyVoice)
+        }
+
+        if let premium = candidates.first(where: { $0.quality == .premium }) {
+            return premium
+        }
+        if let enhanced = candidates.first(where: { $0.quality == .enhanced }) {
+            return enhanced
+        }
+        // Fall back to the best default-quality voice.
+        return candidates.first ?? AVSpeechSynthesisVoice(language: "en-US")
+    }
+}