April 18th, 2011 | posted by: Lynette

Time to plow and plant!

Springtime is here (at least in our part of the world), and it’s time to start up the tractor and get plowing and planting. When it comes to plowing, there’s no one better to turn to than good ole Tractor Mac. He’s a hard worker, a true friend, and a great storyteller. Here’s an excerpt from a recent review from Christopher Lay all the way from Beijing, China:

If your children are like Reina [the reviewer's daughter], they churn through storybooks. Whether a paper bound edition or a digital one on the iPad, Reina goes through phases where she reads through everything one week and fixates on one or two stories the next. Here are some reads she has recently been flipping through on screen.

PicPocket Books continues to add to its long list of dependable titles with the Tractor Mac series written and illustrated by Billy Steers. This wonderfully drawn set of stories captures the spirit of farm life as it recounts the exploits of the tractor named Mac and the animals on Farmer Bill’s Stony Meadow Farm. With lessons on fitting in, working hard, patience, winning, and losing, there is much to be gained by reading and exploring these stories with a child.There is added authenticity in Billy Steers’ tales as he is a farmer himself and his voice delights as he narrates Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm, Tractor Mac You’re a Winner, and Tractor Mac Builds a Barn.These books are rated 4-8, but I enjoyed them too; it’s true, I’m a little bit country.

Download Tractor Mac on iTunes or go to www.picpocketbooks.com to browse our titles.

February 2nd, 2011 | posted by: Lynette

Who’s Your Valentine?

Are you thinking about Valentine’s Day? Will you make homemade cards?

If you are looking for some Valentine’s Day inspiration in the form of a children’s picture book, check out A String of Hearts, by Laura Mallone Elliott and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger.  A String of Hearts is lovely Valentine story about the real meaning of friendship.

The story illustrates that popularity isn’t everything and a steady, loyal companion who is there when needed is what we really cherish. A historical note about the origins of Valentine’s Day makes A String of Hearts a clincher for a February fourteenth storytime. (Reading Level: Kindergarten-3rd Grade)

String of Hearts, by Laura Malone Elliot

October 16th, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

New Halloween Release from PicPocket Books: “Boy Dumplings” by Ying Chang Compestine

PicPocket Books is proud to bring this unique ghost story to the iPhone just in time for Halloween.

(…from the Holiday House Book Page)
Get ready to gobble up this fun-filled tale of a crafty youngster’s hilarious efforts to avoid the cooking pot.

Begin with one hungry ghost. Add a plump, delicious-looking boy. Sprinkle in some Chinese folklore and a healthy dash of humor. Now sink your teeth into an exciting story about a ghost eager for his next meal—and a boy who must think fast if he doesn’t want to get turned into dumplings! Includes a fantastic, child-friendly recipe for dumplings.

Watch the author give simple step-by-step instructions for delicious dumplings in this video. Then go get some dumpling wrappers and make your own at home! Yummm!

July 30th, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

PicPocket Books and MomsWithApps in the News!

Huffington Post: iPhone Apps by Moms, for Moms

Never underestimate a mom with an iPhone. While most mobile developers are men, a growing number of opportunistic women are venturing into app development to create apps catered to other women. And many of these women are part of a group called Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers who share best practices on making and marketing mobile apps.

BabyMedBasics published by PicPocket Books

January 23rd, 2010 | posted by: Lynette

Have you seen the list of 2010 Newbery Award Winners?

Where The Mountain Meets the Moon

Grace Lin (photo by Alexandre Ferron)

We’re thrilled that Grace Lin, the illustrator of PicPocket Books’ most recent release, “Round Is A Mooncake,” just won the 2010 Newbery Honor Award last week for her Young Adult novel “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Check out her beautiful work on her website.

Watch as author Grace Lin discusses her award winning book with a group of young readers in this video from The Today Show: Grace Lin on the Today Show

November 20th, 2009 | posted by: Eva

Wild Things: a Children’s Movie but Not Just for Kids

Have you seen “Where The Wild Things Are”? What did you think?

The film (released October 16th in the U.S.) tells the tale of Max’s visit to “where the wild things are,” and is based on Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book by the same title.

I love the book, I enjoyed the movie, too. It’s understandably different from the book (to make a long-enough movie), but I thought it worked. The Wild Things looked just like I remember! I was also impressed with Max Records’ performance as Max in the movie. His acting was natural and didn’t seem artificial or forced.

For a movie based on a children’s book, the film seemed surprisingly geared towards an older audience. Perhaps it is intended for adults who read the book as children as much as it is intended for children today. I think a child would enjoy the movie a lot, but an adult could appreciate it on a deeper level. Themes around change and family dynamics would probably go over most children’s heads.

Thoughts? What other favorite picture books from your childhood would you like to see turned into a full-length movie?

October 25th, 2009 | posted by: Lynette

Picture books for Halloween

If your kids are like mine, they are counting off the days ’til Halloween and can hardly wait for the big night to arrive. Here are some great Halloween-themed picture books for the 4-8 year-old crowd to help you get in the Halloween mood. This list includes mildly spooky tales, familiar classics, and some new-found treasures, but none are too scary. Enjoy! And of course, if you have a favorite you’d like to share, please comment and let us know!

Halloween Kittens

The Halloween Kittens


The Halloween Kittens

Written & illustrated by Maggie Kneen

Lift the flaps and discover all sorts of sneaky fun with the mischievous kitten brothers Trick and Treat as they prepare for Halloween.
- from the Publisher

For more information, see Chronicle Books

Ivy + Bean

Ivy + Bean

Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go

By Annie Barrows

This book for beginning readers is another entertaining installment of the popular Ivy and Bean series, with a spooky twist.

For more information, see Chronicle Books

Ghosts In The House

Ghosts In The House

Ghosts in the House

By Kazuno Kohara

This relatively new book (published just last year) is masterful in design. The optical illusion of the effervescient ghosts on black and electric orange pages will have you reaching out to touch them to check if they are actually textured.

It is also a great story, with a no-nonsense approach, and not scary at all. I mean if you had ghosts in your house you’d catch them and put them in the washing machine, right?

For more information, see Amazon.com

The Very Busy Spider

The Very Busy Spider


The Very Busy Spider

By Eric Carle

A simple, yet delightful story by classic author and illustrator Eric Carle. This books describes the day of an industious spider as she spins her web. The embossed details combined with Carle’s trademark collages make for an engaging tactile experience.

For more information, see Amazon.com.

Where The Wild Things Are

Where The Wild Things Are


Where the Wild Things Are

By Maurice Sendak

Be sure to revisit this popular, classic picture book this Halloween. Get in the mood and roar your terrible roar, roll your terrible eyes, gnash your terrible teeth and show your terrible claws.

For more information, see Amazon.com

Too Many Pumpkins

Too Many Pumpkins


Too Many Pumpkins

By Linda White

Pumpkins remind Rebecca, the elderly woman in this book of the Great Depression, when she and her family had nothing to eat but pumpkins. When a pumpkin smashes in her front yard, Rebecca covers it up and forgets it. However, the seeds from that forgotten pumpkin turn her yard into a pumpkin patch, and Rebecca is once again surrounded by pumpkins.

For more information, see Amazon.com

Child Of Faerie

Child Of Faerie


Child of Faerie

By Jane Yolen

According to certain tales, faeries leave the underworld once a year to join in a faerie ring beneath the moonlight. On this magical night, a faerie boy meets a child of the earth and the two become friends forever. Luminous full-color paintings by award-winning artist Jane Dyer add to the magic.

Age Range: 5 to 8 years old

For more information, see Amazon.com

Moonlight

Moonlight


Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

By Cynthia Rylant

Softly padding through the darkness, Moonlight explores the world on her favorite night, Halloween. The town and countryside glow with shining stars. The wide yellow moon lights pumpkins, racoons, and children out having fun. . . . Told in eloquently simple, lyrical words, with dazzling, luminous paintings, Moonlight evokes not just the excitement of Halloween, but something more — the reassuring warmth and friendliness that is a special part of this special night.

For more information, see Amazon.com

September 8th, 2009 | posted by: Lynette

Review by Tech Talk for Moms

Picture 1

PicPocket Books reviewed by Tech Talk For Moms today:

Looking for a different way to expose your child to reading? Try downloading a PicPocket Books iPhone app. Your child can enjoy books right on your iPhone or iPod touch. Each book is narrated with the words highlighted in a different color as each word is read. The books are attractively illustrated to keep your child’s attention. I downloaded the book, My Friend Isabelle, a book which teaches children about appreciating differences in people. My daughter read the book several times and thought it was great that she was able to read a book right on Mom’s phone! Check out the PicPocketBooks website, to choose from a variety of well written children’s picture books.

Visit her site at Tech Talk for Moms.

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