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It’s 10:03 pm and I’ve just finished decompressing from the long work day with a Fuller House episode on Netflix. I head upstairs to settle in for bed and I notice the faint glow of a flashlight. My kids should have been dreaming about LEGOs and Shopkins hours ago, so I’m surprised when I walk into their room and my son is huddled under the covers with a Harry Potter book. This kids loves to read, and I imagine there are worst things than finding your 8-year-old up at 10 pm with a book that’s above his grade level.
Somewhere between Kindergarten and First Grade, my son took the letters he learned with the sounds he heard and put them together, thus opening up a world of imagination. He started with beginning reader books and quickly progressed to chapter books, and our weekends, holidays and summers were spent at the library in search of new worlds and characters to get lost in.
I remember the moment my son began reading Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series. He would laugh out loud and share middle-schooler Greg Heffley’s misadventures. The books are compelling because they are written from the perspective of a child and kids like my son are intrigued by the idea of “peaking” into Greg’s diary.
From the brilliant mind of this imaginative series comes the widely popular online adventure game Poptropica. My son has been immersed in this virtual world for over a year, and as a parent, I appreciate the interplay between education and entertainment.
Within the Islands of Poptropica, kids participate in engaging quests, stories and games across various islands with the “Poptropican” character they have created. Kids are challenged to use their problem-solving skills to discover and solve mysteries unique to each island. Some of the activities kids engage in include reading digital books and comics, watching movies and competing in multiplayer games. Each of the over 40 islands vary in difficulty but converge upon a problem that players must solve by going through multiple obstacles or completing goals. Each island, upon completion, awards Poptropica credits which can be used to buy costumes and special effects.
Safety is one of the key standouts and parents can feel confident that their kids are playing and learning in a safe online environment.
If your kids love Poptropica, they’ll be excited to read the first in a series of graphic novels, Mystery of the Map, by author Jack Chabert. Detailing the backstory of the island of Poptropica, the book follows Oliver, Mya and Jorge as they take a ride in a hot-air balloon, crash-landing on an unknown island filled with extinct animals and a horde of angry Vikings. This uncharted group of islands deemed Poptropica, is hidden from the rest of the world and as these 3 friends embark on a perilous search for a way home, they quickly learn the reason they were brought there. With the existence of Poptropica in jeopardy, will the trio make it off the island?
My son absolutely loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the style that Chabert’s latest graphic novel embodies mirrors that which we see in Kinney’s books and within the online game Poptropica. With comic-book-like visuals, mystery, and adventure, kids will love this exciting new book and the tie-in with the online game.
Poptropica Mystery of the Map is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and retailers nationwide. You can play Poptropica online here. You can also be part of the conversation by visiting Poptropica on Facebook and Twitter.
Win It! One of you will win a 6-month membership to Poptropica, Poptropica Mystery of the Map, and a Poptropica 30 inch inflatable blimp, and a Poptropica Plush (ARV $50). Simply complete the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment with one reason why your kids are excited about playing Poptropica. Comments will close on April 1st, 2016 at 11:59 PM PST.
US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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this looks like something my kids will enjoy! thanks for the chance!!
I think they would enjoy the fun activities and interesting characters.
I think they would like it because it would inspire their imaginations.
my grandson would love all the adventures and the horde of angry Vikings.
I think they would love using their imagination!
it looks super fun and the art rocks.