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
PBS Kids Stop & Go Potty with Daniel Tiger
This month PBS KIDS launched Daniel Tiger’s Stop & Go Potty, an app that encourages kids to practice positive bathroom routines at the potty and at the sink. Inspired by potty-related stories from the series and the effective related musical strategies featured in DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, such as the “Stop & Go Potty” song, the […]
In the Spotlight
Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory Unites Our Favorite Friends – in Theaters June 2016!
FINDING DORY DISNEY•PIXAR Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale? Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins […]
Featured Guest Post
Guest Post :: Patti Wheeler of Travels with Gannon & Wyatt
Where We Find Our Inspiration By Patti Wheeler, coauthor of Travels with Gannon & Wyatt This past year I have had the pleasure of speaking to thousands of elementary school children about my middle-grade adventure book series. Meeting with parents and teachers along the way, one of the first questions I’m always asked is […]
From the Blog…
Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory Unites Our Favorite Friends – in Theaters June 2016!
FINDING DORY DISNEY•PIXAR Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale? Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins […]
Rock out to a superhero adventure for the whole family with the exclusive debut of BLING on Google Play
GET READY FOR A HEROIC ADVENTURE THAT WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD! BLING AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON GOOGLE PLAY FOR FREE STARTING MARCH 3, 2016 Rock out to a superhero adventure for the whole family with the exclusive debut of BLING on Google Play. Featuring the voice talents of Taylor Kitsch (“Friday Night […]
PBS Kids Stop & Go Potty with Daniel Tiger
This month PBS KIDS launched Daniel Tiger’s Stop & Go Potty, an app that encourages kids to practice positive bathroom routines at the potty and at the sink. Inspired by potty-related stories from the series and the effective related musical strategies featured in DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, such as the “Stop & Go Potty” song, the […]
Disney * Pixar Inside Out Halloween Activities
My daughter and I love going to the movies together. Sometimes I am not sure which she likes more, the movie or popcorn! But in the case of Disney * Pixar Inside Out – the movie definitely won out! In fact I believe we saw it at least four times in the theater. We […]
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Cast Hawaiian Newcomer in “Moana”
My daughter and I have seen previews for the new Disney Animation Studios’ movie “Moana” had loved what we saw! I loved how funny the demi-god Maui is and the animation is gorgeous. I mean it is set in the Pacific Islands so I guess it would be breathtaking scenery. It is always fun […]
Nick Jr.’s Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom Airs on Mondays
Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, a magical animated series for preschoolers from the creators of children’s TV sensation Peppa Pig, will make its U.S. debut on Nick Jr. on Monday, October 5, at 6:30pm! Preschoolers join Holly, a young fairy princess whose magic doesn’t always go according to plan, and her best friend Ben Elf, […]
Talk Like a Pirate Day Giveaway!
It is one of our favorite times of the year – yes, International Talk Like a Pirate Day is this Saturday the 19th and we are hoisting a pirate booty giveaway! We appreciate all of you and the support you have shown over the years! We couldn’t have done it without you! Hope […]
App of the Week :: Nighty Night Construction Trucks
Nighty Night Construction Trucks is an interactive book app for children five and younger. You have options to “read to me” or “read by myself”. There is a soft lullaby playing when the storybook first opens that will stop while most of the story is being told until it is time for the day to […]
Explore Daniel Tiger’s Neighbhorhood
This week PBS KIDS announced the launch of Explore Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a new app based on the hit series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD. Come see and explore Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood in this fun new app. We just love Daniel Tiger for many reasons! I love how he and his friends help kids learn about the […]
In the Spotlight :: Author Chris Pedersen
Today I am writing about one of my favorite authors! We met through the app world a few years back and Chris is one of those people who really works hard at providing quality storybook apps and books. She is also a big supporter of other authors and is always willing to help out a […]
Adventure Time :: Season 5 Now on DVD
Adventure Time: The Complete Fifth Season is now available on Blu-ray and DVD and we we have some bonus clips that take a nostalgic look at the early stages from this beloved franchise. My daughter absolutely loves Adventure Time and has spent many a day coloring in the different characters and even made a short […]
App of the Week :: Achoo Gaboo
Achoo Gaboo is a wonderful interactive children’s story that was “crafted by a small team of dreamers at Pixure Book Publishing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” says their intro on the Grown Ups section. I love seeing authors and developers put their heart and soul into a children’s storybook app! And in Achoo Gaboo […]
Movie Review :: Disney’s Teen Beach Movie 2 is loads of fun!
The waves have finally settled in and Teen Beach 2 is riding its way onto DVD! Ready, Daddy-O? Cowabunga! It’s time to go back to the beach! Combine Grease, the Beach Boys, and Disney magic and you have Teen Beach Movie 2. This movie takes place 3 months after Mack (Maia Mitchell) and Brady (Ross Lynch), […]
THE KRATT BROTHERS ARE ON THE MOVE IN NEW WILD KRATTS DVD “SUPER SPRINTERS”
THE KRATT BROTHERS ARE ON THE MOVE IN NEW WILD KRATTS DVD “SUPER SPRINTERS” “WILD KRATTS: SUPER SPRINTERS” Available from PBS Distribution June 23 PBS KIDS Series WILD KRATTS Helps Kids Learn Science by Exploring Animals and Their “Creature Powers” In “Wild Kratts: Super Sprinters“, the Kratt brothers are on the […]
Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle
EVERYONE’S FAVORITE CURIOUS MONKEY IS BACK EXPLORING SPACE AND THE JUNGLES OF AFRICA! CURIOUS GEORGE 3: BACK TO THE JUNGLE THE ALL-NEW FULL LENGTH MOVIE DEBUTS ON DVD AND DIGITAL HD FROM UNIVERSAL 1440 ENTERTAINMENT ON JUNE 23, 2015 SING ALONG TO YOUR FAVORITE SONGS FROM THE FILM WITH THE EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE […]
Robot Turtles: The Computer Coding Board Game for Kids
My kids and I are wiggling turtles and beeping a lot around here lately. Nothing you should be worried about though; it’s all part of the board game Robot Turtles. This super-cute game was the most backed board game in Kickstarter history and teaches kids computer coding skills without a computer. How is that possible? […]
PBS Kids and DK Publishing Focus on School Readiness
While the school year may be coming to an end, parents know that learning needs to continue through the summer months to make the transition back to school all the smoother come fall. I know that the summer slide is something that many parents are concerned with! Research shows that reading just six books during the […]
Heirs to Madagascar’s Royal Throne Are Born!
Heirs to Madagascar’s Royal Throne Are Born: Two New Baby Ring-Tailed Lemurs Named Princess Julien and … Princess Julien In a Milestone for the Planet’s Most Threatened Group of Mammals, the Duke Lemur Center Welcomes Two Baby Ring-Tailed Lemurs – Both Named in Honor of (and Deference to) King Julien XIII The world’s […]
