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
A Dr. Seuss Birthday and Read Across America Giveaway
Image courtesy of Oceanhouse Media This is such a fun time of year for students and book authors! This Sunday, March 2nd, is the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss! Every year the National Education Association honors his birthday with Read Across America Day (RAAD)- an annual reading motivation program that calls for every child […]
In the Spotlight
Hollywood Blockbuster Production Designer James Lewis creates Fun Town
NEW APP FROM HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER PRODUCTION DESIGNER JAMES LEWIS Touch & Learn, the development studio started by Hollywood Production Designer, James Lewis (credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Band of Brothers, Love Actually, Exodus and many more), today officially announced the release of their brand new edutainment app for 2 – 6 year old […]
Featured Guest Post
Guest Post :: Michelle Anaya Talks Storybook Apps
Becoming a published author had always been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I wrote in journals, jotted ideas on post its, scribbled and doodled in sketch books but my partial stories and ideas never went beyond that. My blog was the first in many steps taken to […]
From the Blog…
App of the Week :: WILD KRATTS World Adventure by PBS Kids
This week, PBS KIDS announced a brand new app called WILD KRATTS World Adventure. A must have-app for fans of the popular PBS KIDS series, WILD KRATTS, World Adventure brings animal science to life! Through 30 levels of game play, WILD KRATTS World Adventure helps build key skills and encourages science inquiry. […]
A Dr. Seuss Birthday and Read Across America Giveaway
Image courtesy of Oceanhouse Media This is such a fun time of year for students and book authors! This Sunday, March 2nd, is the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss! Every year the National Education Association honors his birthday with Read Across America Day (RAAD)- an annual reading motivation program that calls for every child […]
Join LitWorld’s “World Read Aloud Day” on March 5th
Image courtesy of LitWorld Worldwide at least 793 million people remain illiterate. Two-thirds of them are women. I am really excited to be working with the Mrs. P Be-A-Famous Writer contest again this coming year! This will be the third year working together and the second year that my company, Polka Dots Publishing, is sponsoring […]
Review & Giveaway :: Anchor Bay Entertainment Releases “Brewster Leads The Way”
LATEST ‘Chugginton’ DVD, ‘brewster leads the way,’ MAKES TRACKS FOR MORE TRAINTASTIC FUN FOR FANS NATIONWIDE! Preschoolers from Coast-to-Coast to Embark on Exciting Escapades With Latest Release from Anchor Bay Entertainment – February 11, 2014 It’s Brewster’s turn to take the spotlight! Young viewers nationwide are in for thrilling, high-speed adventures featuring one […]
Guest Post :: Michelle Anaya Talks Storybook Apps
Becoming a published author had always been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I wrote in journals, jotted ideas on post its, scribbled and doodled in sketch books but my partial stories and ideas never went beyond that. My blog was the first in many steps taken to […]
App of the Week :: Duckie Deck Family Photo
App Developer Duckie Deck released a really fun app this month called Family Photo. Duckie Deck’s Family Photo enables you and your child to create your own set of colorful, expressive characters and bring them together for a group photo. They designed this app with toddlers in mind and the app is easy to use […]
Review & Giveaway: My Dog the Champion by Anchor Bay Entertainment
MY DOG THE CHAMPION BRINGS INSPIRING STORY OF A CITY GIRL AND HER FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND TO FAMILIES NATIONWIDE New Feature Film – Starring Dora Madison Burge, Lance Henriksen And Cody Linley–– Bounds onto DVD for the First Time from Anchor Bay Entertainment – February 4, 2014 Today, Anchor Bay Entertainment releases My Dog the […]
Awesome DIY Valentines Day Cards for the Kids
Valentine’s Day is so much fun for the kids! I can remember how much I looked forward to handing out and receiving Valentine’s Day cards at school. But back in the day, we didn’t have many choices except the cards you bought at the grocery store. Nowadays you can find so many clever ideas! […]
Penelope the Purple Pirate Birthday Party Giveaway
Since Penelope is celebrating her 3rd birthday this month, I figured it might be fun to throw a Penelope party for the winner of our birthday celebration giveaway! We will provide the goodies and your child can enjoy a pirate-themed party – courtesy of Penelope! Our Giveaway will include: $15 Gift Card good towards a […]
App of the Week :: Jerry’s Day Out! by Ink Robin
Since app developer Ink Robin came on the scene last year, I have been a big fan of theirs. Some of my all-time favorite storybook apps were developed by Ink Robin. If you haven’t checked out my review of Piccadilly’s Circus or The Hippo, The Rhino, The Elephant… And Me – you really should. Both […]
App of the Week :: VeggieTales It’s a Very Merry Larry Christmas
A couple years ago my daughter and went to the movie theater with some of her preschool buddies to see the VeggieTales Pirate movie and since then we have been a fan of this fun crew! Cupcake Digital released VeggieTales It’s a Very Merry Larry Christmas last month in time for the holidays. This […]
Ridley Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers Dark Passage Book VI
Image courtesy of Adventures by Daddy We had a chance to review Ridley Pearson’s latest book in the Kingdom Keepers series. Ridley Pearson is an award-winning author and is also a big fan of Disney. In fact, he says he likes to hang out at the Disney parks and aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships […]
New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for the Kids
We are planning on celebrating New Year’s with some friends at their house. Since this party will include all of our kids, I wanted to do some fun crafts that will help bring in the new year – such as colorful hats, DIY noise makers and even our very own time capsule! Here are some fun ideas […]
App of the Week :: Yo Gabba Gabba! Party in My Tummy
We are big fans of Yo Gabba Gabba so I am super excited to review their new app by Cupcake Digital and share it with you all! We love to watch this show and have had more than a couple dance parties in our living room dancing to the great bands and catchy songs that are featured on […]
Fun Holiday Crafts for the Kids
If you are like me, I am trying to figure out some fun things to do over my daughter’s holiday break that officially starts this Friday afternoon. We have a few more days before Christmas so I plan to try out some of these fun projects I found via Pinterest. I love making anything that I […]
Born Mobile – The Power of Games to Inspire STEM Learning
Born Mobile – The Power of Games to Inspire STEM Learning You can’t get around kids and mobile devices these days. According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, more than 80 percent of kids 2-8 years old use a mobile device, which is no surprise considering that households with kids own a whopping […]
App of the Week :: Strawberry Shortcake Berryfest Princess
New York based app developer Cupcake Digital has recently released Strawberry Princess featuring one of our favorite redheads – Strawberry Shortcake! My niece dressed up as Strawberry Shortcake one year and looked adorable! What’s not to love about this cute character. The first page opens up and you have a choice between reading the story […]
Holiday Gifts for Teachers
Tis the season of gift giving and I love to make and give homemade gifts. This year we plan to make my daughter’s school teachers some fun gifts and found some really great ideas! Happy Giving! Sweet! The blogger over at The Creativity Exchange has some really great and inexpensive gift ideas. […]
