Bell's Big Move by Tom Shay-Zapien, Matt Wiewel

Rating: WORTHY!

As part of the international Christmas in July celebration that I just made up (I guess that makes it a decelebration?), This was a fun and charming book for young kids who are fans of wint'ry days and warm furry dogs (and who isn't?!). It's evidently part of a system whereby there's also a plush puppy which costs an addition thirteen dollars or so, and is electronically linked to the book so when certain words are spoken out loud (and assuming the toy is within range), it reacts, presumably by barking or whatever. I can see parents loving that after the first fifty thousand such barks! It's yet another example of electronics creeping into every corner of life. I haven't made up my mind if it's a good thing or a bad one yet! I guess I shouldn't complain too much since I work for a corporation which is entering the home electronics market, although were not making plush toys. Not yet!

This is evidently part of a series, and I am reviewing a companion book separately today, which appears to be a kind of prequel to this one. This one is narrated nicely by Matt Wiewel, and colorfully illustrated with what actually looks like painstakingly posed toys and models. The images are quite remarkable and are evidently taken from a stop-motion animated show. The story follows Bell, the husky dog, who is having to move to a new home during the winter with her friend Sofia. Will they like their new home? Will they miss the old place? Perhaps meeting Jingle, who looks like Bell's twin, in the new town will be the start of a beautiful friendship? If not, there's always Rick's place, where everybody goes....

This is another books with an accompanying sound track, and the great thing about it is that it engages all the senses. You can swipe the screen with fingers (this book worked well on my smart phone which is very convenient), you can listen to the voice-over, you can enjoy the artwork, you can taste the adventure, and you can smell those electronic circuits warming up as you read...wait, maybe not so much on that last one. I thought it was a great way to get kids listening and reading. You can even engage them in seeking out interesting animals and items in the pictures. I recommend it.

Jingle All the Way by Tom Shay-Zapien, Matt Weiwel

Rating: WORTHY!

As part of the international Christmas in July celebration that I just made up (I guess that makes it a decelebration?), This was a fun and charming book for young kids who are fans of wint'ry days and warm furry dogs (and who isn't?!). Narrated nicely by Matt Weiwel, and colorfully illustrated with what actually looks like painstakingly posed toys and models, this little picture book follows Jingle, the husky dog, who is spending Christmas not only alone, but also out on the street! Ulp! (Do dogs say ulp? It's been a while since I've teamed up with one, but I don't recall mine ever saying that). The interesting thing is that Jingle isn't actually as alone as he fears. There's this guy in a red suit roaming around, and he has some ideas about matchmaking this year.

This is another of those books with an accompanying sound track, so young kids can read or listen or both. It's also sync'd to a plush toy dog which costs an additional thirteen dollars or so, and which barks in response to key phrases (supposedly. I haven't tested that, and I'm not sure how many parents would really want a kid controlling a yapping dog, but there it is). I'll bet if I were a kid I'd want it! LOL! The narrator is Matt Weiwel, who seems to have the contract for all of these books.

The great thing about it this is that it engages all the senses. You can swipe the screen with little fingers (this book worked well on my smart phone which is very convenient), you can listen to the voice-over, you can enjoy the artwork, you can taste the adventure, and you can smell those electronic circuits warming up as you read...wait, maybe not so much on that last one. I thought it was a great way to get kids listening and reading. You can even engage them in seeking out interesting animals and items in the pictures. I recommend it.