blog

App of the Week: Extraordinary Jenny Jones

May 20, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 their imaginations! Extraordinary Jenny Jones is about a little girl who sees the world through totally different eyes. What everyone else sees as round, Jenny Jones sees as square. And the other way round. Aimed at kids aged 6 and up, it’s a wonderful children’s tale about believing in yourself no matter how different you feel about things or even how you see the world. These types of themes are a big hit in my household as I like to teach that it is okay to be different or to see things differently from those around you. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: App of the Week, blog Tagged With: children's apps, Dr. Neil Reddy, educational apps, Extraordinary Jenny Jones, Paper Plane Company

In the Spotlight :: Tom Anderson of Blackfish Children’s Books

May 20, 2013 by Melissa 4 Comments

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 customizations to make the story about yourself, and the ability to create choose-your-own-path adventures. I know my daughter loves to create stories where she is part of the adventure. The Blackfish Children's Books offer this unique ability for your kids to not only be a part of the story but chose different main story characters. I had a chance to speak to Tom about his company and their new project called The Great Illustrator Project. What was the inspiration behind creating Blackfish Children's Books? Our former company was a video game company. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, In the Spotlight Tagged With: Blackfish Children's Books, educational apps, Facebook Party, Interactive Apps, The Great Ilustrator Project, Tom Anderson

Guest Post :: Speech Language Pathologist, Leanne Pool

May 11, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 language skill that children should learn. Deficits in answering and asking wh questions have a serious impact on a child’s communication skills, performance in class, and the development of reading comprehension. Between 3 and 4 years, a child should start understanding and using questions about objects, people, and basic events. Between 4 and 5 years, a child should be able to pay attention to a short story and answer simple questions about them. Here are a few tips that might be helpful if your child or student is having difficulties … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Guest Posts Tagged With: Language Skills, Leanne Pool, Speech Language Pathologist, Teaching Kids wh questions

In the Spotlight with Brian Felsen, CEO of BookBaby

May 11, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 things I like about this company is that they charge you a flat up-front fee and that's it. They don't take a percentage of your sales once it becomes available as an eBook. There are not many services around that do that. Having an innate sense of curiosity about the people behind the companies I like - I wanted to find out more about the person who created Book Baby. In my eyes, this person and company is helping to realize people's dreams. How many people wish they could write and publish a story they might have been working on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, In the Spotlight Tagged With: BookBaby, Brian Felsen, Founder of BookBaby, Indie Authors, Interview with Brian Felsen, Self-Publishing

Crafts :: How to Build a Pirate Ship

May 2, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 are still sitting in my backyard. In all fairness, I did attempt to build one but I am the type of person who needs instructions for these types of things! I searched online and found some great how-to tutorial videos and pictures of some pretty cool pirate ships for me lassie. How to Build a Pirate Ship: Hope you join in on the fun and build yourself one to enjoy over the summer months. Your kids just might think it's Christmas in July if you surprise them with one of these cool pirate ships! The pirate ship that came with the best instructions was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: Cardboard Pirate Ship, Crafts for Kids, How to Build a Pirate Ship, Pirate Crafts, Pirate Treasure Maps, Pirate-themed birthday party

App of the Week: Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighty Night

May 2, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 the soothing music and cute illustrations. This is the perfect story before nap time or bedtime. The first page of the story provides you with a choice between having the story read to you or reading it to yourself. This is a great feature for early readers to practice their reading skills. You can also choose to have the music on or off. Again, the music is ideal for this type of bedtime storybook! The animations are simple such as when you touch the owl and her babies, they hoot (or coo is more like it) and blink open and shut their eyes. As you turn the pages, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: App of the Week, blog Tagged With: Alexis H. Purcell, Allison Keeme, Nighttime Storybook Apps, Preschool Apps, Toddler Apps, Twinkle Twinkle Nighty Night App

Oceanhouse Media Little Critter Collection #1 Giveaway

April 30, 2013 by Melissa 14 Comments

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 thank you to the folks at Oceanhouse! MAJOR UPDATE, NEW FEATURES! - Record your own voice and share voice tracks with others - New options for sound effects, hot spots and alerts - Page selector - New hints - Retina main menu - And more! Recommended Ages: 2-5 Features: ★ New! Record your own voice ★ New! Share voice tracks with others that own this app ★ New! Page selector ★ New! Options for sound effects, hot spots and alerts ★ Three ways to read: "Read to Me," "Read it Myself," and "Auto Play" ★ … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Giveaways Tagged With: Little Critter App Giveaway, Little Critter Collection #1 Giveaway, Mercer Mayer App Giveaway, Michel Kripalani, Oceanhouse Media Giveaway

In the Spotlight with Michel Kripalani, President, Oceanhouse Media

April 30, 2013 by Melissa 2 Comments

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, I have seen Oceanhouse Media grow into one of the best developers out there. The quality of apps they provide are pretty remarkable. Of course, we love all of their Dr. Seuss and Berenstain Bears apps but they are such a wide selection of great apps. I had a chance to speak to Michel Kripalani, the President of Oceanhouse Media about how he got involved in this business and how his background in the gaming industry helped him to acquire such classics as the Dr. Seuss series. Q&A with Michel Kripalani, President, Oceanhouse Media, Inc. Tell us what inspired you to create … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, In the Spotlight Tagged With: Berenstain Bears Apps, Dr. Seuss Apps, educational apps, Mercer Mayer, Michel Kripalani, Oceanhouse Media, Top Apps

One Appy Mama Reviews Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases

April 25, 2013 by Melissa Leave a Comment

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 MobileFun. I really like the flip option as it offers protection to the back and the front without adding any bulk to this super slim phone. It's also durable enough for me to toss it into my purse/bag or even stuff in my pocket on those rare occasions. It's made from a flexible rubber bumper that just clips onto the Samsung Galaxy S4 and then it folds over much like a folio - nice, neat, compact and keeps your Samsung Galaxy S4 scratch-free and protected. The Flip Cover from MobileFun comes in several color variations $34.99): You can check out the Flip … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blog, Guest Posts Tagged With: Android Phone cases, FlexiShield Case, Flip Cover, MobileFun, Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases, Sports Armband Case