There is Mo’s nose — that nose belongs to Mo, the dog hero of the “Mo Smells” children’s book series by Memphis-born author Margaret Hyde and illustrator Amanda Giacomini. But also active in this series is your nose.
Using the “Press-2-Smell” feature, which produces air puffs of scent, readers smell what Mo smells. In the first book, Mo Smells Red, that meant roses and strawberries. In the eco-friendly adventure Mo Smells Green, it was limes and mint. In the latest book, Mo Smells Christmas, there are gingerbread houses, pine trees, and chocolate Santas to take in.
And there’s now another way to get interactive: the Mo’s Nose app. The app, which can be downloaded for free at iTunes, helps pet lovers find pet-friendly hotels and events, dog parks, and shelters. There’s also “Mo’s Deals” for discounts at pet retailers as well as color-oriented games for the kids. Another feature of the app is “Augmented Reality,” which animates Mo on the user’s phone and changes with location.
Mo’s real-life counterpart and inspiration for the series is Giacomini’s dog, which she found living on the streets of Oakland, California. A portion of the proceeds from book sales goes to Friends of Mo charities dedicated to improving the lives of animals.
“Mo Smells Christmas” booksigning by Margaret Hyde, Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Tuesday, October 5th, 4 p.m.
