Thank you to who?Comics for sponsoring this post and encouraging my child to read biographies in comic book form! Please click here to learn more about the app. And follow who? Comics on Twitter for updates!

who?Comics On The iPad

The who?Comics is an iPhone & iPad app which takes the biographies of currently popular figures and turns them into comics for your children 8 and up to read.

I have found comics a great way to get kids to read books that they normally would not find interesting. My 8-year-old never liked to read books because he gets overwhelmed by all the words and would tell himself he can’t read it before he even started reading. With comics, the words are not overwhelming and he just digs right in and starts reading.

Biography Comics for Kids

My 15-year-old son read the J.K. Rowling and Bill Gates biography comics. He had a difficult time getting into the biography comics. He loves comics, but he said they were very difficult to read and he didn’t find them interesting. He said he didn’t really remember much of what he read because they were a difficult read. He did love the timeline feature at the end of each comic.

The biography comics are from a Korean company and they are working on making the translations to english much smoother. I think that now, the comics feel very choppy and we ran into a passages in each comic where we really were not sure what they were trying to say. This is definitely still a work-in-progress.

My 12-year-old daughter started to read the J.K. Rowlings and Warren Buffet comics and after about 10 minutes she said she could not read anymore. In her defense, she generally does not like comics as much as her brothers do. She said she found the comics very difficult to read

J.K. Rowlings Biography Comics

My 8-year-old son loved the who?Comics. We read the J.K. Rowlings biography comic. I did have to sit with him and explain a lot of it to him. There were some topics that I had to explain further, such as, when J.K. Rowlings mother was sick, my son wanted to know a lot more about that. We completed the comic and he did like it a lot.

My Thoughts On who?Comics

Overall, I think the who?Comics biography comics are a good tool for kids to read about their heroes, but they need a lot of work before they are completely ready for kids.

Each one of my kids felt the comics were too long and told parts of the person’s life that they didn’t think was necessary. I would also read each comic before you let your child read them to be sure it’s appropriate for your child.

Thank you again to who? Comics for sponsoring my post. Please click here to learn more about the app. Visit who? Comics for updates. I was selected for this opportunity by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own. #CleverWhoComics #spon

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who?Comics; An Interesting Biography Comics Read For Your Kids originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

I thought that being quiet meant you were not social. And that was bad. I didn’t want to be a loner. I never admitted that I preferred to be alone. As I got older, I still didn’t admit it, but it was easier to hide

Introverts And Social Media

It wasn’t until I started blogging and getting more involved in social media that I discovered there is a whole world of people out there who are just like me. I truly believe that is why I love social media. I can be alone at home and shut my computer off when I’ve had enough. I can still be very introspective, yet share that with others who understand. When I need to be social, I can get on Twitter or Skype and there is always someone there. It’s like the best of both worlds.

I now know that being an Introvert is different from being a loner. I have 4 kids and only 1 of my kids is more of an introvert. He prefers (and craves) that time  with his own thoughts.

I only wish our society would be more understanding of the Introverts. Not everyone is an Extrovert. If I’m at a party and surveying the situation and figuring out where I fit in, you don’t need to ask me why I’m being quiet. Just let me be. When I am ready to mingle, I will!

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

This post was prompted by the book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts. Author Susan Cain explores how introverts can be powerful in a world where being an extrovert is highly valued. Join From Left to Write on January 19 as we discuss Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain. We’ll also be chatting live with Susan Cain at 9PM Eastern on January 26.

Disclosure: As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon Affiliate Links:

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Quiet; Took Me 40 Years To Be A Proud Introvert originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Sound Stickers Uses

With the Sound Stickers and a Livescribe pen, you can record your voice and play it back anywhere. Here are some ideas:

• Put stickers on all the pages of a book, record your voice reading the pages and your children can play it back by clicking on the stickers. They can listen to you read the book to them anytime.
• Put the stickers on your scrapbook pages and leave messages for your kids in their scrapbooks.
• Make interactive flash cards. This would be great for learning foreign languages where hearing the word will help you tremendously.
• Leave notes with instructions for your family.
• Add notes to a book. I always get ideas from books and now I can add a sticker and record a quick note.
• Make kid’s chore charts interactive with your complete instructions on a sticker.

The ideas are endless. The stickers are re-recordable and require a Livescribe pen (version 2.7 software) to record and play back.

Livescribe Video

Here is a 2 minute video showing you what a Livescribe pen can do. They do not specifically mention the Sound Stickers, but you can see how the pen works.

Livescribe Sound Stickers retail for $24.95 and include 1000 stickers per package.

The Livescribe pen and the Sound Stickers make a great gift for students, professionals and families.

Disclosure: I received a Livescribe Echo pen and Livescribe Sound Stickers in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let’s Talk About Sound Stickers!

How would you use Livescribe Sound Stickers?

Affiliate Links

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Livescribe Sound Stickers; Add Your Voice to Anything! originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

I plugged in the Microsoft Touch Mouse, installed the software and watched the demo. Interesting! I spent the next few hours trying the mouse out. It took some getting used to, but now I really like it. The motions are different from any mouse I’ve used. There are 1, 2, & 3 finger gestures both vertically & horizontally.

Microsoft Touch Mouse Demo

This video is a good demo of the Touch Mouse.

I really like the way it feels in my hand. It fits perfectly and the dots on the mouse give it a nice texture. My biggest problem was that I would forget that I could do things on the mouse and I would do them the way I normally do. For example, the maximize and minimize of windows. I keeping using the square and x and not sweeping 2 fingers up or down.

Art of Touch

The Microsoft Touch Mouse is designed to work with Windows 7. Microsoft is having an Art of Touch sweepstakes now. Through February 4, 2012, create a design at the Art of Touch and you could win weekly prizes or the Grand Prize and Be a Featured Artist along with a bundle of gear which includes a Touch Mouse and Sony laptop.

Touch Mouse Giveaway

ENDED!  Microsoft has provided me with one (1) Touch Mouse to give away. The giveaway will end at 5:00 pm ET on Friday, December 30, 2011.

To Enter

Leave me a comment below letting me know what gadget you want. If you could go out now and buy any gadget, what would it be? (required)

For Extra Entries, leave another comment each you do the following:

Tweet: I just entered @ScrappinMichele’s @msfthardware Touch Mouse giveaway.  http://bit.ly/rp83mu #win7tech     (optional & once/day)

Create a design at the Art of Touch and leave a link to it below. (optional & only 1 design counts)

Disclosure: I received one Microsoft Touch Mouse in exchange for this review and giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Microsoft Wireless Touch Mouse Review originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Privacy Screen Protector Features

The 3M Privacy Screen Protector will protect your tablet or smartphone from:

• dust
• dirt
• scratches
• prying eyes

The Matte finish will reduce the glare on your screen. It is very easy to clean with a screen cloth.

Features I Love

I like how thick it is and it feels like it is protecting my screen from all that I put it through. I do often search for presents or do shopping on my iPhone or iPad. My kids are constantly looking over my shoulder to see what I’m doing and I love that they can’t see. Using the touch screen is the same with or without the 3M Privacy Screen Protector.

So, I bet you are thinking, “what if I want to share my screen with someone?” 3M has the answer for that by changing the screen orientation.

The 3M Privacy Screen Protector is available for the iPad 2, iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, Xoom, Droid, Droid 2 and many other custom sizes along with a universal size which you can trim to the size you need.

Retail price is $34 – $39.99 for tablets and $14.99 – $16.99 for smartphones.

Disclosure: I received the 3M Privacy Screen Protector for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Amazon Affiliate Links

 Let’s Talk About Privacy Screen Protector!

What do you do on your tablet that you don’t want anyone to see? Spill the beans! Just Kidding! What are your thoughts on tablets, smartphones and privacy?

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Keep Nosy Nelly From Seeing With Privacy Screen Protector For Tablets & Smartphones originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Books For Teen Boys

Here are three books that Scholastic suggests for high school-aged boys:

• The Eleventh Plague By Jeff Hirsch
• Under Dogs By Markus Zusak
• iBoy By Kevin Brooks

I tested this out on my teen-aged son. I gave him all 3 books for teen boys and told him he could keep the ones he wanted to read. He kept them all! These books for teen boys passed the 15-year-old boy test!

The Eleventh Plague

The Eleventh Plague is about 15-year-old, Stephen Quinn and his family who survived a deadly plague that killed two-thirds of the population. They became salvagers roaming across the country searching for anything they can find to trade for food and other essentials for living. Tragedy strikes the family and Stephen finds himself alone. He finds Settler’s Landing, a community that is thriving after the plague. Stephen meets Jenny and together they play a horrible prank that changes lives forever.

Underdogs

UnderDogs is the first book of a Trilogy about the Wolfe brothers. Cameron & Ruben Wolfe are always getting into fights, coming up with schemes and disappointing everyone. At the same time, they are very loyal to each other. This loyalty is tested when one brother falls for the other brother’s girlfriend.

iBoy

iBoy, a wifi thriller, is about Tom Harvey who is your average teen in a South London housing project. An attack turns him into an App with pieces of a broken iPhone embedded in his brain. He can now do much more than the other teen boys. With this new power, he seeks revenge.

This book looks like something I would love too. I’ll have to remember to get it from my son when he finishes reading it.

Books For Teen Boys Giveaway

ENDED! Scholastic has provided a giveaway for one (1) lucky reader. The prize package (valued at approx $105) includes:

• Copies of iBoy, The Eleventh Plague, and Under Dogs! (1 of each book)
  
• $50 Visa Cash Card

The giveaway ends at 1:00 pm ET on Monday, December 19, 2011. At that time, I will use “And The Winner Is” to pick one random winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner. Open to U.S. residents only.

To Enter:

Leave a comment below letting me know who you would share this prize package with if you win.

Disclosure: I received one prize package in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Be sure to check out my other Scholastic Giveaway for The 39 Clues series.

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Books For Teen Boys; This Is Teen originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

The 39 Clues book series is about the Cahill, family as they search for 39 clues hidden around the world. The clues guard the source of the Cahill’s powers and each book is an adventure to find a clue.

We just got started with The 39 Clues books recently. My daughter read the first book and has been waiting for me to get the second book.

The coolest part (in my opinion) of The 39 Clues book series is written by a different author  of each book and has a companion website. The series was started by Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series.

 

The 39 Clues Rapid Fire eBooks

On December 25, The 39 Clues Rapid Fire, a stand-alone adventure begins…

Seven Days, Seven Stories – One Explosive Secret

These short e-books will be available online for 99 cents each and will be released starting 12/25/11. Each day a different top-secret eBook short story is released ending on December 31 with an explosive secret finale. There will be codes hidden in the 7 stories which combine to unlock the exclusive card and medal at The 39 Clues website.

The 39 Clues Giveaway

ENDED! Scholastic has provided me with one set The 39 Clues paper cover books 1 – 10 (retail value of $70) to giveaway to one (1) lucky reader. The giveaway ends at 1:00 pm ET on Monday, December 19, 2011. At that time, I will use “And The Winner Is” to pick one random winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner. Open to U.S. residents only.

To enter The 39 Clues Rapid Fire Giveaway:

Leave a comment with the name of the book you are currently reading.

For Extra Entries, leave a separate comment letting me know you have completed each extra entry.

1. Like The 39 Clues on Facebook.

2. Follow The 39 Clues on Twitter.

3. Like Scraps of My Geek Life on Facebook.

Disclosure: I received a complete prize package from Scholastic in exchange for this post. All opinions of The 39 Clues Rapid Fire are 100% my own.

Be sure to check out my other Scholastic Giveaway for Teen Boys.

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The 39 Clues Rapid Fire E-Book Series Holiday Release originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Skullcandy Sound

Not only are the Skullcandy earbuds the best headphones for running, but they also sound really good. I use the Skullcandy In-Ear Buds even when I’m not running because I like the sound I get.

I tried the Skullcandy FIX headphones in both the bud style seen in the blue/black above and the in-ear bud style shown in the red above. My personal preference was the in-ear bud style because I have small ears and I could change the size of the piece that goes into my ear.

Headphones For Running

I always run with my iPhone because it has all my music, my running apps and for safety, I have a phone with me. It would be really hard to answer the phone or make a call if I didn’t use the microphone style headphones for running.

The Skullcandy FIX earbuds also have a microphone. Another reason these are the best headphones for running. You can also change the volume and skip to the next song with the Skullcandy FIX earbuds.

For safety reasons, when I run outside, I only use 1 earbud (or have the sound very low) so that I can still hear cars and other noises. If I am running on a track with other people around, I will run with both earbuds in my ears.

The Skullcandy FIX Buds retail for $39.99 and come in 6 different colors. The Skullcandy FIX In-Ear Buds retail for $69.99 and come in 6 colors.

Disclosure: I received a pair of the Skullcandy FIX Buds and In-Ear Buds in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let’s Talk About Headphones for Running!

Have you found the perfect headphones for running? Do you listen to music when you run? What do you use for listening to music?

Be sure to follow Skullcandy on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

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Headphones For Running; Skullcandy FIX Earbuds originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Phix Natural Energy Mix

• Citron has a lemon tea flavor
• Tropic is a blend of berry, pineapple & Guava.
• Teaberry is a mixed berry tea.

I tried all three flavors and the Teaberry was my favorite. I did not care for the Tropic at all and the Citron, I thought was ok, but not my favorite.

I try to drink at least 8 cups of water each day and adding flavors to the water makes a huge difference for me because I’m not a fan of plain water. I added the Phix energy mix to my water in the afternoon which is generally the time of day where I am feeling the most tired and I usually go for caffeine.

I didn’t feel any different with the Phix energy drink than with a caffeine drink. After looking at the ingredients of the Phix Energy mix, it has 80 mg of caffeine from Yerba Mate, so I suppose it gives me the same boost as my other caffeine drinks using a natural ingredient.

Phix Natural Energy Mix Giveaway

ENDED!  Phix is offering a giveaway of a 1 month subscription to Phix (3 boxes of the flavor of their choice) and a coupon for 25% off a future purchase. U.S. entries only. The giveaway will end at 10:00 pm ET on Friday, December 16, 2011.

To enter, leave me a comment below with the time of day that you need an energy pick me up.

Disclosure: I received a sample of the Phix Natural Energy Mix in exchange for my review as part of a promotional program with Phix and MomSelect. All opinions are 100% my own.

Be sure to also like the Phix Facebook Page and follow Phix on Twitter.

Let’s Talk About Phix And Energy!

What time of the day do you feel you need a pick-me-up?

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Targus 3-in-1 Pen

I’m a bit of a pen freak. When I find a pen I love, I become addicted to it. I will write things just to use the pen. The pen on the Targus 3-in-1 is awesome. It writes so smoothly and feels really good in my hand. The cap on the pen fits securely on the other end, so I won’t risk losing it.

Targus 3-in-1 Stylus

The Targus 3-in-1 stylus is a rubber tip that makes it easier to turn pages, play games or write directly on your tablet. You won’t get all the smudges from your fingers on the glass.

Targus 3-in-1 Laser Pointer

And last, but definitely not least, the Targus 3-in-1 is a laser pointer. You may be thinking that you only need this if you are a speaker, wrong! Do you ever show off pictures on your TV to family? Next time you are trying to point out who everyone is in the picture, use your laser pointer.

I have a son who hates to write, but needs to practice his spelling words. For variety, I have him trace his spelling words with the laser pointer and he has to say the letters as he is tracing them. He feels like this is such a privilege because I normally do not let him play with the laser pointer since it isn’t a toy and isn’t meant for kids. But when I’m sitting with him, he gets to use it for homework.

The Targus 3-in-1 retails for $42.99, but is currently available at Amazon for $18.76. This is a great gift for someone with a tablet.

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Targus 3-in-1 Stylus Puts a Pen, Stylus and Laser Pointer In Your Hand originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.