Thank you for visiting the site of Melissa Northway, the writer and creator of the Penelope series along with many other unique stories. Feel free to take a look around and don't forget to check out her latest work at picpocketbooks.com.
Polka Dots Publishing
Melissa founded Polka Dots Publishing, Inc. in December of 2010, with a goal to create interactive and educational children’s storybook apps and books utilizing digital technology. Our services now include consulting for new and established authors and developers looking to maximize social media platforms. From concept to creation, we can provide you with expert advice and strategies to make sure your app or book gets noticed. Learn more about Polka Dots Publishing
Penelope the Purple Pirate
“Penelope the Purple Pirate is a fun interactive romp with Penelope and her charming friends…wonderful read and discover app with great visuals and sounds! Love the fun filled facts at the end to test everyone’s comprehension.” -Alexandra Uhl, owner of A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe
Learn more about Penelope the Purple Pirate
Gerry the Giraffe
“Gerry the Giraffe HD is a delightful story about Gerry and his quest to improve his volleyball skills... This beautifully illustrated book is set in Africa where giraffes love to play volleyball. Gerry is left behind when his friends on the “Super Sonics” team go off to volleyball camp...”
-Alison, The iMums
Learn more about Gerry the Giraffe
Current Giveaway
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom 50th Anniversary Giveaway
This year marks Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom 50th Anniversary! I just loved watching zoologist and Wild Kingdom host Marlin Perkins with his chimpanzee sidekick W.K. (Wild Kingdom) and his adventures with wildlife. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, which premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, took viewers to the far corners of the world and studied wild… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight
In the Spotlight :: George Karavias of Anlock and App Friday
When I first started out in the app industry I was told by several developers to join the Moms With Apps group. Moms With Apps was created by four moms who were developing family-friendly apps and connected over Twitter in November of 2009. What started as a small brainstorming session on cross-marketing soon grew into… [Continue Reading]
Featured Guest Post
Guest Post :: Naturopathic Physician and Author Heather Manley
I love what I am doing and creating. I am a naturopathic physician and the author of the kids’ book and curriculum series, Human Body Detectives (HBD). HBD educates kids in an enticing and engaging way on how their bodies work and what foods best fuel it. The series was slow in the making but… [Continue Reading]
From the Blog…
Fuel Reading this Summer with PBS Kids Free Resources
For many families, school got out this past week and many parents (especially moms) might be thinking about ways they plan to keep their children busy and minds active. Studies have shown that children score lower on reading and writing tests at the end of the summer than from the end of the school year. … [Continue Reading]
App of the Week :: Play and Learn with Wallace by Priddy Books
Years ago we purchased some Priddy Books for my daughter so she could start learning her letters and sounds. Seeing the name and logo brings back good memories of when she was a toddler and we really enjoyed using the Priddy Books, the best-selling publisher of over 100 million books worldwide! They have released… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight :: George Karavias of Anlock and App Friday
When I first started out in the app industry I was told by several developers to join the Moms With Apps group. Moms With Apps was created by four moms who were developing family-friendly apps and connected over Twitter in November of 2009. What started as a small brainstorming session on cross-marketing soon grew into… [Continue Reading]
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom 50th Anniversary Giveaway
This year marks Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom 50th Anniversary! I just loved watching zoologist and Wild Kingdom host Marlin Perkins with his chimpanzee sidekick W.K. (Wild Kingdom) and his adventures with wildlife. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, which premiered on Jan. 6, 1963, took viewers to the far corners of the world and studied wild… [Continue Reading]
App of the Week :: My Wild Kingdom by Mutual of Omaha
Most of us grew up watching Mutual of Omaha programs after school. This year they are celebrating their 50th Anniversary and recently launched a FREE app called My Wild Kingdom which my daughter and I are so enjoying playing with it together. The app opens up with a calm voice welcoming us to Mutual… [Continue Reading]
Book of the Week: W.A.R.P Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin Review & Giveaway
Many of you might know that I am a big fan of good Middle-Grade (MG) and Young Adult (YA) books. In fact, on our trips to the bookstore you can usually find me in the pre-teen and teen section. I pay no heed to my husband’s raised eye-brows when I head off into that direction at… [Continue Reading]
App of the Week: Kids Learn Mandarin by Fingerprint
Just this past week I was speaking to a mom at my daughter’s school about wanting to get my six year old into some Mandarin classes. I wasn’t sure how she would do as I can’t help her with Mandarin much as my husband and I don’t speak it. But with so many people speaking… [Continue Reading]
Guest Post :: Naturopathic Physician and Author Heather Manley
I love what I am doing and creating. I am a naturopathic physician and the author of the kids’ book and curriculum series, Human Body Detectives (HBD). HBD educates kids in an enticing and engaging way on how their bodies work and what foods best fuel it. The series was slow in the making but… [Continue Reading]
App of the Week: Extraordinary Jenny Jones
This week we are featuring a new app, Extraordinary Jenny Jones released by the PaperPlane Company. The app and iBook launched this past week on the AppStore and iBookstore. I have to say I immediately fell in love with the illustrations and title of the story. I love using tools that teach our kids about being extraordinary and using… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight :: Tom Anderson of Blackfish Children’s Books
Jodi Murphy of Geek Club Books introduced me to Tom Anderson who heads up the app developer company: Blackfish Children’s Books. I was impressed with the platform that he and his brother have created and the quality of storybook apps they offer. Their book engine allows the app user to choose the main story character, add… [Continue Reading]
App of the Week: Sharing with Duckie Deck
Developer Duckie Deck has created some very cute apps for toddlers on up. Over eight million toddlers and preschoolers have played with their educational games. Their apps cover important topics, from brushing teeth to sharing with others – things that are essential for a healthy and well-rounded young mind. By showing examples of everyday situations in an imaginative and stimulating… [Continue Reading]
Guest Post :: Speech Language Pathologist, Leanne Pool
May is Better Speech and Hearing Month: Did you know that May is “Better Speech and Hearing Month”? To celebrate this month, I want to share about a specific area of language development, answering who, what, where, and when questions or as speech therapists usually call them “wh questions”. Answering wh questions is an essential… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight with Brian Felsen, CEO of BookBaby
If you are a self-published author you have probably heard of BookBaby. They can convert your book (or manuscript) into an eBook for a very reasonable price and help with getting your book into major distribution channels. With so many authors opting to go this route it is great to have BookBaby around. One of the… [Continue Reading]
Crafts :: How to Build a Pirate Ship
ARGH! Thar be pirates in them ships! Our friends moved last month and I asked them if I could use some of their larger cardboard boxes after they were finished with them as my intention was to build a cardboard pirate ship for me mates! Well, I did mention it was last month and the boxes… [Continue Reading]
App of the Week: Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighty Night
The other day I was driving my daughter to school and she was playing with the iPad in the car. She immediately chose to play with this new app I am reviewing today called Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighty Night by Alexis H. Purcell. I can see why as you can’t help but be drawn in by… [Continue Reading]
Oceanhouse Media Little Critter Collection #1 Giveaway
In conjunction with our interview with Michel Kripalani, Oceanhouse Media, has provided us with some major goodies to hand out to some lucky mates! Little Critter Collection #1 by Mercer Mayer is a series of ten books in one app and valued at $14.99 each! Good luck mates and make sure to share our interview with Michel as a… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight with Michel Kripalani, President, Oceanhouse Media
Last year I met Natalie Aller at the home of Rebecca Cox whose son was getting a new iPad from an organization that provided 40 iPads to over 40 Kids in 40 States! It was a great experience to see firsthand how remarkable how much this device can help children with special needs. Since that time,… [Continue Reading]
One Appy Mama Reviews Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases
Product Review: Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases: Recently I had the opportunity to look at some new cases coming out for the Samsung Galaxy S4 from MobileFun.com and wanted to share them with my Android friends. Right now my favorite case for the new Samsung Galaxy S4 is the white Flip Cover from… [Continue Reading]
