Daddy Mojo

The Darkdeep runs from the first page and doesn’t stop

It’s a great thing when books run. This is that sensation you get when there is no introduction to the character or their story, yet, from the instant you read the first sentence it gets your imagination running. The Darkdeep runs like no other book we’ve read in the past couple of years.

The ground leapt up to smack Nico in the face.

That’s the first line from the book. I knew nothing about Nico, nor the plot of The Darkdeep. However, that sentence almost felt like a question, followed by a series of challenges or dares. From that opening sentence it only gets better with readers seeing Nico, Tyler and Emma-three typical pre-teenagers playing on a foggy day in the Pacific Northwest. The basic personality elements are established, the town bully comes over the horizon and the catalyst for The Darkdeep is put into play.

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Dragon Con, it’s much more than just a parade for children

When is a Con not a Con? That sounds like a trick question, but note the capitalization of ‘Con’. In this instance we’re colloquially speaking about the pop-culture gatherings that happen around the world, specifically, we’re talking about Dragon Con. Dragon Con is the annual tradition that’s held in Atlanta each Labor Day weekend. Tens of thousands of people gather in seemingly every hotel in downtown Atlanta and do something that’s close to their Con passion. Dragon Con also has a very large, passionate and entertaining track of break out meetings for children. I took the kids to some presentations and they were blown away, moved and some of them literally took the Oxygen out of a (small) room.

It’s worth noting that some families know Dragon Con because of the parade. And wow, what a parade it is. It’s a 45 minute parade with some of the best and most realistic cosplay you will ever see. Tens of thousands of people line the parade route early each Saturday over Labor Day weekend to see it. The Dragon Con Parade is amazing. The Dragon Con Parade is also just the tip of a massive entertainment iceberg that is entirely family friendly.

This year our kids were six and eight. They like pop culture, but haven’t latched onto a specific property that really lights their fire yet. Before going to Dragon Con I prepped them for what it was and what they might see. “Will they throw candy out during the parade”, the young one asked. No, it’s not that type of parade. While he was initially bummed out, he was curious about it all based on my photos from previous years.

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All age comic books for September 26

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Happy new comic book day and this week we’re celebrating with some great and groovy all age comic books that will interest readers as young as 6. For the 5 year-old readers My Little Pony Ponyville Mysteries is out this week also. In the podcast we’ll talk about Star Trek, Star Wars, Amulet, Archie/Batman and more. For now though let’s look at three new all age comic books that will hammer home the joy of reading to those in second grade and up.

Looney Tunes #245

Looney Tunes is a great comic book series. It’s only $2.99 and each issue is funny, classic and OK for kids in elementary school and up. Some of the vocabulary might be too difficult for younger kids, but they’ll laugh at the pictures, know the characters and discover that reading is fun. Looney Tunes #245 has original stories with characters that everyone in your house knows. If your child’s elementary school doesn’t have a subscription to this comic book they should because every kid in the school wants to read it.

DC Super Hero Girls, Search For Atlantis

The DC Super Hero Girls series of graphic novels are incredibly entertaining. It’s a look at the DCU girl heroes (and villains) as teen-aged girls who are at the same school. This is a graphic novel, all original and lots of fun for readers who are 7 and up. Parents will also love their price point. DC Super Hero Girls, Search For Atlantis is only $9.99 if you buy it retail.

Blastosarus #2

The first issue of Blastosaurus far exceeded our expectations. Blastoaurus is about a crime fighting dinosaur and his new human friends. It has action, heart and humor that will surpass what your expectations are too. This is fun reading that captures just how cool and fun and all age comic book can be. Any age can read this and be thoroughly entertained. Blastosaurus #2 retails for $3.99 and can be found at your local comic book store.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

Princesses Save The World, but muddle up this book

In theory there is nothing that anyone should have against this book. Girl power-check girls can do anything, we got that memo. Nature is good-check, everyone totally agrees with that one too. We love the bees, can’t imagine our toast without their byproduct and want to see them on our butterfly bushes for millennia to come. Princesses Save The World has noble intentions, but ends up landing on the low end of a narrow “For Princesses Only” book category.

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Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see #SmallFoot in movie theaters

The elementary school water cooler talk is all about Small Foot. It’s the safest bet for the cinema, according to the under third grade set. How they know the 411 on this film is a testament to YouTube and them watching the trailer for the film dozens of times. Small Foot is the classic tale of putting the shoe on the other foot, literally.

A hopeful Yeti named Migo is convinced that humans exist, small feet and all. They’re a pack of Yeti who live high up in the mountains. Migo and his friends from a group that intends to study them and prove their existence.

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see Small Foot in movie theaters

Small Foot is an animated film from Warner Animation Group and is rated PG for some rude humor, action and thematic elements. It is in movie theaters from September 28, 2018. This giveaway is for two 2-packs of Fandango codes that you can use to see the film at any theater that is Fandango friendly.

Meet your new favorite good night book…Are You Scared, Darth Vader?

Skeptical I was. Fearful of a children’s book with Lord Vader on the cover. Fear, dread of a different kind. Take a beloved character. One who withstood the drudge of The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith and still managed to emerge on the other side as cool as he entered them. Fear not readers of any age. Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex is a joy to read. This is a beautiful book that will immediately ingratiate itself into your children’s library and it’ll stay there for generations.

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Henry And the Yeti, an icy quest that kids will love

If The Nightmare Before Christmas and Minions had a baby with a Yeti bent the result would be along the lines of Henry And The Yeti. Henry And The Yeti is a children’s illustrated book by Russell Ayto. This is the first book that he’d taken the reins on for art and story and based on the happy, goofy, relatable and slightly spooky monster story he’s created it won’t be his last.

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All age comic books for September 19

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Happy new comic book day! This week has a massive variety of graphic novels, books and all age comic books that are coming to your local stores. You’re the parent to a two year-old who wants to read about Aquaman? Maybe that same child wants to read about The Incredibles? You’re a middle school student who loves Star Vs. The Forces of Evil and want to dig deep into her world? Maybe you love the classics and want to read some Big Nate; this is your week, so read on or check out the podcast for an in-depth look at some of them.

Hilda and the Hidden People

Up until this month Hilda has only been in Luke Pearson’s beautiful books. This month has Hilda coming to Netflix and in her first middle school book, Hilda and the Hidden People. This is a book that upper elementary school will love. Each chapter is approximately seven pages, with some pages having the classic, distinctive art that Pearson has been doing for years with this character. His illustrated books are works of art that children can enjoy. This series of books takes that world and spells it out deeper for those kids that want to read about it more. The second book in this series, Hilda and the Great Parade comes out in January 2019. Get used to seeing this series in elementary and middle school libraries if you’re not in the know about Hilda yet.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Adventures, Captain Marvel First Day of School

Captain Marvel meets Spider-Man in an all age comic book about the first day of school? Two of Marvel Comics go-to heroes team up for a one-shot issue about team work, exploring new things and growing up. At $3.99 this is one of those comic books that age 5 and up can read, enjoy the action and learn a thing or two, just don’t tell them that.

Big Nate Goes Bananas!

Big Nate has graduated from college. Not really, but the character, Big Nate has been sharing stories of middle school chaos for over 25 years now. This is classic stuff and Big Nate Goes Bananas! provides full color page after page of laughs, grins and some deep belly laughs that will make your children look at you funny. Moreover, Big Nate is a great example of 4-panel brilliance and simplicity. Sometimes it’s sublime, occasionally it’s bittersweet, quite often hilarious and always entertaining, this is Big Nate Goes Bananas!

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction