October 23rd, 2009 | posted by: Eva

Where do stories come from?

Well, lots of places! In a recent interview, author Andrea Cheng shares what inspired her to write Tire Mountain:

Andrea Cheng

Now in the iTunes App Store!

Now in the iTunes App Store!

“I ride my bicycle to work every morning, and I used to pass a tire store on my way.  I saw a little boy playing on the tires almost every day.  Even though this corner is really a blighted area, the little boy always seemed so happy with his home.  I named him Aaron Jacob Johnson and made up a story of how he used his tires to make a playground.”

Tire Mountain is Andrea’s first book to be available on an iphone platform. She is happy with the results!

“When I saw [the app], I was most impressed. I especially love the way that the dialogue is read. It is full of expression and drama. In addition, the pictures look vibrant and intense.”

Do you make up stories sometimes? Where do they come from?

October 15th, 2009 | posted by: Lynette

PicPocket Books releases a fun new title: What A Pest!

Maryann Cocca-Leffler Author & Illustrator of WHAT A PEST! shares some thoughts on the new release of her work as a digital picture book for kids on the iPhone:

Now in the iTunes App Store!

Now in the iTunes App Store!


“I’m very excited that my book WHAT A PEST! will be reaching and teaching the iPhone generation! Who would have thought when I entered the children’s book industry 25 years ago that my books would make their way into the pocket of readers? Sharing books on the iPhone is another way to expose children to books and as an author-illustrator that is my goal! I am thrilled to be part of a very new industry and hope some of my other books are offered in this format.

Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Maryann Cocca-Leffler

My book WHAT A PEST! is an early reader about two sisters. The older one thinks the younger one is a pest but in the end they realize how important they are to each other. The story itself is loosely based on personal experiences on many levels. I have a younger sister…and I also have two daughters. Growing up, my sister, Diane, was a pest! She was always hanging around with me and my friends and getting in the way. We also sang together and one time she got the chicken pox before a performance. By blending many ideas and watching my own daughters struggle with sisterhood, I came up with the story WHAT A PEST! I hope you enjoy it!

PS: I knew then, as I know now, that sisters have a special bond. I’m happy to say, my sister and I are best friends!”

What about you? Do you have a sister who is a pest, or your best friend, or both? We’d love to hear your stories!

You can find Maryann at www.maryanncoccaleffler.com.

September 28th, 2009 | posted by: ela

A PicPocket Book in Action!

How can you keep a child busy and occupied while running errands, waiting in the doctor’s office, or just driving in the car?  I found my answer in Cucumber Soup, one of PicPocket Book’s newest editions for reading-on-the go.

"I like this story!"

"I like this story!"

One of the things that makes Cucumber Soup so entertaining for young children is that they can recognize all of the insects that appear on the digital pages.  Spiders, ants, and bumblebees  flutter and crawl across each page as the message of teamwork and persistence is taught to the young reader.
As I gave my iPod Touch to the young boy I was babysitting, I could hear him shout “bumblebees!” and “ladybugs!” as he enthusiastically identified the bugs and listened as the story progressed. I could tell by his excited squeals that Cucumber Soup would entertain him for the entire duration of our trip to the grocery store.

Do you have any suggestions for keep children busy and occupied during boring car rides and errands?  Do you believe children would enjoy being read to on an iPod Touch or iPhone rather than watching a DVD in the car?  Let us know what educational tools you try to provide for your children!

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.

August 10th, 2009 | posted by: Eva

Learning in disguise…

I like when education sneaks up on me.

Concepts are often hidden. We don’t learn most of what we know via rote memorization, or by being hit over the head with dry “facts.” Much of the time, we learn by experiencing and taking in knowledge in our own time. 

For me and for many, a lot of learning comes with reading. This kind of learning is critical for young children. Reading picture books is so important! An article on one of our new books, “Cucumber Soup,” emphasizes that “Meaningful learning takes place when children experience math and science [and other subjects] in ways that relate to their own day-to-day lives.”

The cute story of various insects that come together to move a big cucumber, subtly instructs. It explores counting, weight, balance, cooperation, and teamwork. With the recipe for “Cucumber Soup” in the back, it also introduces children to cooking in the kitchen (safely – there is no fire involved in this recipe!). Cucumber soup seems like a delicious summer snack to me!

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