Daddy Mojo, Author at Daddy Mojo

A Natural History of Fairies is THE book on this winged species

“What’s this book about”, our nine-year-old asked. He then started to look through it and was engaged. I told him that it’s about fairies, where they live, what they do, and the different types of them. “Is the tooth fairy in it?”, he asked. The moment he heard “no, but….”, he closed the book and ran to the bathroom to coincidentally brush his teeth.

Fairies are real and if you can’t see them it’s because you don’t want to. That’s the kind of person who would enjoy A Natural History of Fairies. If you’re dubious, look closer at the book and your opinion will morph. Much like the green patch of moss under the tree that suddenly looks like it could be a landing pad or pillow for an imp that’s trying hard not to be seen. It starts from the moment you feel the cloth, embossed cover, with the smooth illustration and the start to marvel at the details and love that went into that one image.

Fairies wear boots and this book has them all

All age comic books for December 16

It’s a typical slow, late December week for new comic book day. There are a couple of new all-age comic books, including one must-read release, plus a graphic novel that will be one of the most sought-after new releases this winter. Cat Kit Comic Club is the new Dog Man. He ran his course and Cat Kid, his partner in crime fighting fun has their own series from elementary book juggernaut Dav Pilkey. This graphic novel was available at Target last week and is out at any book retailer this week. DC Comics also has Scooby Doo Where Are #107 hitting comic book stores. This series is only $2.99 and flies out of elementary school libraries when they have copies.

Power Rangers, a new monthly series from Boom! Studios and Doctor Who Comics are some of the other new all-age comic books out. It’s weeks like this where it’s also a great opportunity to catch up on releases you missed or to experiment on new titles that you have always been curious about.

Issues, issues, all age comic book issues

Elementary readers will be forever Bad Kitty, #FurEverBadKitty

For us, Bad Kitty is the best kind of retiring cop buddy-movie. They always manage to pull us back in. Our 11-year-old went through a huge Bad Kitty phase when he was in third grade. He would howl with laughter when we’d leave him alone so that he could dig in with Uncle Murray, kitty, and the other animals that make up Nick Brule’s world. That was a couple of years ago. His brother was casually interested in Bad Kitty, and then not at all. However, now, just like the venerable Sergeant Murtaugh who’s about to retire, our nine-year-old has rediscovered a certain skittish black kitty.

Bad Kitty, even the upper elementary kids dig it

Pocket Piggies Christmas! brings home the board book bacon

When I think back to the baby shower gifts we received there were some that rose above others. At both ends of the spectrum were an expensive glass vase and a 24-pack of Hot Wheels. The Hot Wheels cars both boys played with for hours and that vase is in the kitchen where it catches coins, spare batteries or other non-elegant things that it’s not suited for. Somewhere in the middle of these gifts are the board books that our boys enjoyed. In that vein, Pocket Piggies Christmas! is a board book that knows its audience and really delivers the bacon.

Pocket Piggies Christmas! Is seasonal, board book, comfort food for those newborns through toddlers.

Cute Pigs. Christmas Board Book. Happy Babies.

Disney Block continues the Peskimo charm, this time with pixie dust

Alphablock and Countablock, released in 2013 and 2014, have taught tens of thousands of children their alphabet or how to count. Our family is certainly in that group, as both boys learned their basics from them. Those books are part of the Abrams Block Book series and since then, they’ve expanded to fun, entertainment topics, as well as, the educational building blocks of the English language. Disney Block, Magical Moments For Fans of Every Age is an Abrams Block Book that takes the format of these books and captures 25 moments from classic Walt Disney films.

This is a board book that will last for multiple children

All age comic books for December 9

This week in all age comic books is nothing to laugh at. Really, there aren’t any comic books that you could categorize as humor. In its place are some of the staple all age comic books, plus an under-the-radar gem that’s great for those middle-school readers.

It’s a great week for web crawlers as The Amazing Spider-Man #54 and Marvel Action Spider-Man: Shock to the System are released. That first title is great for upper-elementary school and older, while that second one is great for middle-elementary school through high school. Upper elementary readers will also enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #112. We looked at this title for the first time in a while and it’s a series that kids will enjoy and parents will approve of. There might be a couple of very mild words in the comic book, but you’re kids have heard and probably said them before if they’re 10 or older.

Lastly, are you 10 or older and looking for a very cool comic book that you’re friends might not be reading? If that is you then Usagi Yojimbo #15 is your jam. It’s about a ronin rabbit who goes about doing good deeds and sometimes getting into trouble. This is one of those all age comic books that has enough story to accompany the art. The violence, mostly implied, might be too much for those young elementary readers, but ages 9 and up who are looking for something fresh need to check this out.

Now, on with all of the all age comic books this week.

All age comic books follow the jump for those who seek

A Charlie Brown Christmas Pop-Up Edition still delivers the goods

When is A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV is one of those seasonal search terms that roars in popularity during the first week in December. It’s special because the show is one of those communal experiences that bring people together to watch it in their own homes. Much like the classic Crowded House album, we’re Together Alone and watching one of the great stories come to life. A Charlie Brown Christmas Pop-Up Edition brings the classic charm of the show into an heirloom book that will remain in your family for generations.

Happiness, get yr seasonal Holiday Christmas Happniess here

The Beast and the Bethany is pitch-perfect for ages 9 and up

The Beast and the Bethany is a wonderful book. ‘Wonderful’ isn’t a word that I used often to describe books, but in this case, it’s 100% appropriate. Sometimes we use ‘good’ to describe books, but that adjective can be subjective. What’s good for you, might not be good for me, or vice versa. Whereas ‘wonderful’ implies that it’s something that can be enjoyed by everyone at any time. The Beast and the Bethany is that sort of middle-school book. It’ll leave you smiling throughout, tickle your imagination in ways that the classic stories do and it has enough of a mean streak to intrigue those who normally wouldn’t touch it.

This is a new classic that will enthrall ages 9 and up