I apologize for the gap between postings… balancing grad school and the mood swings of a two-and-a-half year old turns out to be much trickier than I anticipated!

This week’s most read library book was…

Making the Moose Out of Life, by Nicholas Oldland

I’m not sure why Curly connected to this story thematically, since it centers on a moose who has a sort-of mid-life crisis after he realizes he is not taking advantage of the wonders of the world. Perhaps she herself is frustrated at not being able to go cliff diving or surfing? Still, we both enjoyed this story, and you just have to love the title.

But library rentals can’t last forever. Here are the titles we stuffed into our Tinkerbell backpack today. Which one will be our most-read pick of the week?

Kiss Me (I’m a Prince!), by Heather McLeod and Brooke Kerrigan

In One Ear Out the Other, by Michael Dahl and Migy

A Pet for Petunia, by Paul Schmid

Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to Nap, by J.C. Phillipps

Another Mouth to Feed, by Michael Dahl and Migy

Have you read any of the above titles? Vote for your favorite in the comments, and tune in next week to see which book I will have committed to memory.

Title: Shake-a-Phrase

Publisher: Artgig

Format: iPad, iPhone

Rated: 4+

Current Price: $1.99

Synopsis: A language app that helps build vocabulary.

Features:

• Interactivity
• Sound Effects

The Greasy Screen says: There seem to be a plethora of apps designed to help little ones learn their alphabet, but this is the first I’ve seen that takes reading one step further to help increase vocabulary. Shake-a-Phrase takes clever (and oftentimes ridiculous) combinations of challenging nouns, verbs, and adjectives to enable young children to step outside their vocabulary comfort zone. Every time you shake the iPad (or iPhone) a new, wacky sentence appears. Combinations such as “the furious and grotesque spider snatched the frightened hobgoblin” are a prime example of the app’s serious word-building skills via silly format.

Shake-a-Phrase could have easily been a one-trick pony, but there are a lot of options. Readers can choose the “start a story” option, which poses a question to lead into creative storytelling (example: “What would happen if a bad celebrity sheltered a cuddly angel…”), or try out some quizzes, which challenge one to find the different parts of speech. There are also several overall themes for the phrases, such as “monster” or “fairytale.”

The graphics are clean and bright, and the continuous silliness keeps the app engaging. Though this app was too advanced for my little Curly, I personally enjoyed shaking it up!

Somehow, a giant mess of circumstances has proclaimed this will be THE BUSIEST WEEK OF ALL TIME. For that reason, The Greasy Screen will be on a short hiatus. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, readers!

This week’s most read library book was…

Flabby Tabby, by Penny McKinlay and Britta Teckentrup

Tabby is a chunky cat who finds herself being replaced by a sprightly little kitten. Suddenly, her food is eaten by the young kitty and affection usually reserved for her is poured over the baby cat. Finally, Tabby takes matters into her own hands and starts Tabby’s “Secret Feline Fitness Plan.” Stretching, sit-ups, and following along to the owner’s workout DVD help whip the cat into shape. A few days later, Tabby feels great, and can race around the room faster than any kitten. I wish my attempts to work out produced such quick results!

But library rentals can’t last forever. Here are the titles we stuffed into our Tinkerbell backpack today. Which one will be our most-read pick of the week?

Pelly and Mr. Harrions Visit the Moon, by Lindsay Ward

Giant Steps to Change the World, by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee and Sean Qualls

Yoko’s Show and Tell, by Rosemary Wells

Molly and Her Dad, by Jan Ormerod and Carol Thompson

Making the Moose Out of Life, by Nicholas Oldland

Have you read any of the above titles? Vote for your favorite in the comments, and tune in next week to see which book I will have committed to memory.

Title: Be Confident in Who You Are

Author: Annie Fox

Illustrator: Matt Kindt

Publisher: Electric Eggplant

Format: iPad

Rated: 4+

Current Price: $3.99

Synopsis: A group of middle school kids discuss issues that plague their age group.

Features:

• Musical Score
• Sound Effects

The Greasy Screen says: Usually on The Greasy Screen, we read ebooks geared toward the younger set, since my little Curly is my co-reviewer. But today, Curly took a break while I sat down with Be Confident in Who You Are, a Middle School Confidential graphic novel aimed toward tweens/teens.

Middle school… what a wonderful time, no? Suddenly your once peaceful world filled with playgrounds and playdates is transformed into stress over clothes and being cool. This ebook tackles many pressing issues for today’s tweens, including body image, self-esteem, and peer pressure, and presents them from a middle schooler’s point of view. It’d be hard to find a reader who has not dealt with at least one of the subjects at hand. I personally connected to the chapter dealing with an overweight girl, and another showing someone lose their temper at an annoying friend. Each chapter focuses on a different theme, with a group of friends suggesting ways to overcome their troubles.

The graphic novel format is very accessible, with readers having the ability to zoom in and out of every frame. There are nice, subtle sound effects that enhance the reading experience without overshadowing the content. While I don’t currently know any teenage children, I felt the content was helpful and appropriate without being dorky (as many educational mediums tend to be). Be Confident in Who You Are ends with a terrific message that I think readers of every age can take to heart – “There is only one way to be like them. There are a zillion ways to be like you.” I’ll have to hang on to this ebook for when Curly gets older.

This week’s most read library book was…

Cloudette, by Tom Lichtenheld

Oh to be a sweet little cloudette, floating in the big blue sky! She normally doesn’t mind being smaller than the average cloud, but even a compact cumulus can have big dreams! Curly liked seeing the mini cloud as she hid between giraffe necks and watched fireworks, while I liked all the clever puns throughout the story (“now that’s a brainstorm!”) Cloudette is one part adventure, one part inspirational, and 100% adorable!

But library rentals can’t last forever. Here are the titles we stuffed into our Tinkerbell backpack today. Which one will be our most-read pick of the week?

Porkelia, by Lindy Tucker

Flabby Tabby, by Penny McKinlay and Britta Teckentrup

Bubble Trouble, by Margaret Mahy and Polly Dunbar

Hot Hot Hot, by Neal Layton

Space Boy, by Leo Landry

Have you read any of the above titles? Vote for your favorite in the comments, and tune in next week to see which book I will have committed to memory.

Title: Spike and Orange Ball

Author: Allan Walker

Format: iPad, iPhone

Rated: 4+

Current Price: $0.99

Synopsis: A dog laments over his lost ball.

Features:

• Animation
• Musical Score
• Read-Aloud

The Greasy Screen says: Spike, a cuddly black dog, is sad. His “bestie,” a prickly orange ball, is lost, and his family is set to move any day. What will he do, he wonders, in a new place without his favorite companion?

We’ve all been in Spike’s shoes. Moving is stressful, especially when your most important items get misplaced. I have to say that hearing Spike lament over his lost friend pulled at my heart strings. “I never thought I’d lose a best friend,” he moans. *sniffle!* Read in a low, baritone voice that I often imagine would be the voice of my bulldog if she could talk, the ebook illustrates the small comforts of a dog’s life and how they, just like us, get attached to silly little things.

Spike and Orange Ball is a bit lacking in special features, but Curly and I enjoyed flipping through this story, particularly the final page which shows a photo of what I can only assume is the real-life Spike. This inexpensive ebook will make you smile.

This week’s most read library book was…

Chowder, by Peter Brown

Sweet little Chowder-Wowder! Curly and I are crazy for this book, and not simply because we are bulldog lovers, but because this story has a lot of heart. Chowder is a bulldog with a lot of quirks, who feels like an outsider amongst the other dogs in his neighborhood. When his owners take him to a grocery store with an accompanying petting zoo, Chowder knows he is destined to be friends with the farm animals. If you ever wonder what your dog does when you’re not home (surf the internet? Sit on the toilet? Dabble in paleontology?) then you will love getting to know Chowder. I wonder if my bulldog, Eleanor, has any of the same insecurities…

But library rentals can’t last forever. Here are the titles we stuffed into our Tinkerbell backpack today. Which one will be our most-read pick of the week?

Peedie, by Oliver Dunrea

Cloudette, by Tom Lichtenheld

Up and Down, by Oliver Jeffers

Pablo Meets the Neighbours, by Hannah Giffard and Keith Tutt

Half of an Elephant, by Gusti

Have you read any of the above titles? Vote for your favorite in the comments, and tune in next week to see which book I will have committed to memory.

Today I’m happy to bring you an exciting giveaway of a fantastic learning tool for young readers. Learning Touch is celebrating the 1 millionth download of their excellent FirstWords app series, which helps little ones learn their letters through fun, interactive games with bright, happy graphics. For one day only, all the FirstWords apps will be available for $0.99 on the App Store (originally $1.99-$4.99), and with The Greasy Screen, you also have a chance to win a free download of FirstWords: Deluxe, which features over 150 animal, shape, and color words!

To win, leave a comment below. I will notify the winners with a promotional code for free download. To learn more about Learning Touch and their terrific FirstWords apps, you can check out my original review or click here. Have fun– and good luck!

Title: The Competition

Publisher: Piccolo Picture Books

Format: iPad

Rated: 4+

Current Price: $4.99

Synopsis: A goldfish swims with all his might to win a competition.

Features:

• English/Dutch/French/German/Spanish
• Read-Aloud
• Sound Effects

The Greasy Screen says: The Competition gets off to a jolting start: a young boy’s parents force him to dump his pet goldfish, Harry, in a canal because they are going away on vacation for the summer. What completely awful parenting! Who would ask their child to dispose of his pet? Goodness! Luckily, the story ends on a much happier note, but still, I started off simply horrified.

Harry overhears that the family is off to take part in a competition, and he decides to faithfully head after them, even though they totally just abandoned him. He feels his swimming skills would be great for any tournament and knows he could win. Harry swims though a variety of waters and meets some interesting critters along the way, including a not too trustworthy rat. Though many obstacles get in his way, Harry stays true to his mission.

The Competition does not have any animation or interactivity– though each scene’s illustrations can be dragged from side to side to reveal extra artwork that does not fit on the iPad’s screen. For $4.99, I wish there were some additional features, still, I wouldn’t drop this ebook in a canal.