HarperCollins Children’s Books

Weird Al Yankovic continues to find his way into the hearts and minds of America’s youth, and this time there’s nothing that Lady Gaga can do to stand in his way. On Wednesday, HarperCollins Children’s Books said an application would be released for Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices based on Mr. Yankovic’s best-selling children’s book, “When I Grow Up.” The original book, written by Mr. Yankovic (who, in a rare career move, did not declare himself to be “Weird” on its cover) and illustrated by Wes Hargis, follows an 8-year-old boy named Billy as he considers grown-up career options, such as becoming a doctor, firefighter, giraffe milker or snail trainer. The “When I Grow Up” app, which is developed by the Web design company Bean Creative, offers interactive games and features based on the book, including the option to have Mr. Yankovic read it to you, and opportunities to practice some of Billy’s more fanciful future occupations, such as shaving a tarantula or massaging a gorilla. Mr. Yankovic said in a statement that when he was a child, “I dreamed of one day helping to produce a cross-platform app that would be sold in the iTunes Store.” He added: “I was a very prescient kid.”

The “When I Grow Up” app will cost $2.99 for download. For slightly older listeners (who still think like children), Mr. Yankovic’s new album “Alpocalypse” will be released on Tuesday.