iCarly iCreate My World Online (Nickelodeon Icarly)

I couldn't locate an Accelerated Reading number for this book, but in my mom's opinion I have to say that I think they've got the wrong age range listed. What I've seen suggested elsewhere and here at Amazon is that this book is for 9 to 12 year olds... BUT in my opinion, it's probably best suited for the 4 to 8 y.o. crowd. The problem isn't the book, which should appeal to a fairly broad age range, but the online activities which are just too simplistic to engage any of today's 'hip computer using' youngsters for very long.For example, once you log onto the website you'll find 4 initial choices: Freddies' Faves, Sam's Picks, Spencer's Extras, and Carly's Choices. Under each one of these are a further four options, but rather than run those down, let's take a look at two of the activities under "Carly's Choices" so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about.In option one, 'Studio Style', there are 7 sets of lights that kids can choose for the iCarly set (singly or in combination). There's also a button that activates a subroutine which causes two static images of the 3 principal characters to slide into view on that stage. Carly has a conversation bubble that says "Love the set".I can't tell you how exceeding dull my children found this. They literally ran through it twice, and after figuring out there was nothing else to do on that page, went on to something else, never to return. [They are currently boy and girl; 7 and 9]The second example is "Shoe Me". On this page children get to decorate one of three slightly different tennis shoes. They can paint their chosen shoe from a limited selection of colors and/or from a palette of black and white patterns, but only within pre-designated areas.Now, not all of the other activities are this lame, but in general, I have to say that there are better free sites on the internet and that these games are reminiscent of what we found in the preschooler software we've used.Further gripes about the website:::Let's assume for the moment that you have a kindergartener who likes iCarly and that you're considering buying this book. Let me tell you about some of the quirks that annoyed me. First, there's no 'log-in' memory for the password. (At least not on Firefox.) This means that your child, or more likely YOU, will have to type in the password each time you want to play.Secondly, if your child uses the back arrow they will find themselves propelled out of the game..., after which someone--again, most likely YOU, will be forced to type in the login password.The book:::Now, to end on a positive note, let me say that the book is actually a lot of fun. The editors used a montage approach, so that there's lots of color and large, fun photos of Carly, Spencer, Sam and Freddie.Content-wise, the book recounts various episodes from the iCarly show, including the one where the chicks got loose in the apartment, and the "Can you drink spaghetti and meatballs?" episode.In addition, at the end of the book there's an "I know iCarly" quiz as well as a "How to Use This Book" guide.Ultimately though, I have to say that I don't think I'd buy this book for anyone over 6. It would, however, be a nice gift for any iCarly fan under that age, although very young children will probably have to have an adult sit with them.Pam T~mom and reviewer for BooksforKids-reviews

My daughter loves watching iCarly on Nickelodeon. When I told her that we were getting the book, she was ecstatic!The book is comprised of online access, as well as a full color book.WEBSITEThe hardcover book contains a stylish iCarly webpass collectible charm with the password to a special section of the iCarly website. There are 5 sections based upon the 4 main characters: Sam, Carly, Freddy, Spencer. There are various games, printable graphics and even a detention slip to print out. The website is well designed without a lot of advertisements, as other children's websites can have. The song in the special section is the same, and repetitive, but my daughter did not mind it. Thankfully, you can toggle the music off.There is a link to the main website that includes blogs, games, pictures, videos, news and newsletters. There are no chatrooms so this site is safe for children. The appropriate level of children who would appreciate this book and site is 7 years through 12 years. The reading level of the book is about a second grade reading level.THE BOOKThe book has full color photos and nice graphics. It is more of an 'insider's guide' to the characters and the show, rather than a story or informational book. This book serves as more of a directory of online activities.SUMMARYThis is a nice addition to a child's activities who has internet access. If you are weary of what is on the internet, this is a safe site. No outside links or annoying popups.This title is well worth a look.

I have a 10 year old and a 5 year old that LOVE iCarly. Even my husband and I will sit down and watch it on occasion, so when I saw this book I thought it would be fun for us all.With the book you get a little charm that has a secret webpass code, so I will review the book first.BOOK: There are about 27 pages of information here. Nothing new or earth shattering. My kids have seen every episode of icarly and knew all of this from the show, but they still enjoyed looking through the book. There is also a little quiz at the end of the book, and of course they had to quiz each other. (I think they both got all 6 questions right, pretty sure my husband did too.) The text is nice and big so it is easy for younger kids to read, though it is written in a very 'young' manner. Needless to say, my five year old liked the book part of this more than my 10 year old.WEBPASS GAMES: the games are all very simple. Just point and click. My ten year old got bored rather quickly, though he thought the Freaky Food game was ok (you can mix a few different unusual foods to make one 'interesting' mess in a blender)and he took the Freddie VS. Sam quiz to find out who he is more like. My five year old was more easily entertained. He also liked the Freaky Food game, and for some reason he thought the iLove to dance games was fun (Just Carly standing there and you can have her dance, it looks very strange to me, but he thought it was funny. The both got a kick out of the Shoe me game, and they now want to find shoes that can match their crazy creations!Overall-this is a book for fans...period. There isn't any new information, but I can see the webgames being fun for a younger child, perhaps a 5-8 year old, older kids will be easily bored with the games.

The Icarly iCreate My Own World is a book for younger children and fans of the show. My 11 year old daughter is a big fan and was very excited when she saw it. We read the book together rather quickly then we logged onto the web companion and started over this time going to the web activity when prompted. The code works on more than one connection so my 5 year old son joined us on another PC.The book doesn't have a plot. Each section is a synopsis of an episode of the show with puns and jokes. At the end there is a web activity that relates to the episode in some way. When you get to the website there are 4 sections for each major character Carly, Sam, Freddie, and Spencer. Most are easy enough a 5 year old who cannot read can do them.The simplicity of the activities on the website is both a blessing and a curse. The younger children will enjoy them for a while but the older kids will get bored quickly. None of the games require any skill. The only one you can lose is the Egg Coloring game which is timed. The coloring pages are fun but after you print out two or three variations of the same picture it gets boring.A nice girly keychain with the login code is included with the book. It's definitely for older kids and shouldn't be left about where younger siblings can find it and choke on it.I'd say overall the book is average and is not for everyone. Little kids will like the web activities (my 5 year old logs on twice a day)> Older kids will get tired and wander over to the official site where there are webisodes and shorts which are fun.It seems to be a publicity item produced by Nickelodeon to promote the show among fans and promote Miranda Cosgrove as the next Amanda Bynes or Miley Cyrus. This book is recommended only for diehard iCarly fans.

I rarely give a 1-star review, but this product really deserved it. With a retail price of $16 and Amazon offering it at $12, I expected that it would contain SOME content -- information about the show, great photographs, fun activities, etc. My daughters (age 9 and 12) are big fans of the show iCarly, and I have to admit that I occasionally enjoy it, too. However, this book couldn't hold even my youngest daughter's attention. She handed it back to me saying, "I already knew all this stuff from watching the show." After I looked through it, I had to agree -- I knew all this stuff from just being in the room while the show was on.The text font is huge -- which means very few words on a page. (Look at the previews on product page.) The book provides a (very) brief summary of 12 episodes, includes still shots from those episodes, and a few captions. Each page references an online activity that can only be reached by using the secret code included in the book. Activities include: putting funny hats on the characters, designing your own sneaker, making Carly dance, mixing strange foods in a blender, a MadLibs activity, and taking a quiz to find out if you are more like Freddy or Sam. My 9 year-old daughter (who wastes hours playing games on Webkinz and Club Penguin) was bored with the activities after 10 minutes.I honestly couldn't believe how bad this book really was!