Daddy Mojo

Paddington 2 is in theaters January 12

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are our own. It could be the stylish jacket, the lovely fedora, those big brown eyes or that perma-grin that he always has, but people love Paddington. When it was released in 2014 it became one of the most successful family films of all time. Paddington 2 is the much-anticipated sequel where Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.

Things get interesting for our bear when he tries to find the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.

This is the kind of PG movie magic that’s guaranteed to entertain kids 7 and under, but will also earn laughs from those that are slightly older too. We’re taking a 6 and 8 year old to see the film later this week and I knew which parts of the trailer would make them laugh even before they saw it.

Truth be told I laughed at many parts of the trailer too and let out an “aww…” when I saw Paddington in the antique shop. I suspect that I’ll enjoy the film as much as the kids.

The first Paddington was made six times its investment and was thus enormously profitable. Paddington 2 looks to be cut from the same cloth, combining heart, lots of laughs and a bit of adventure. It’s the sort of family film that I suspect our kids will remember seeing-and then see it with their kids many years down the road.

Paddington 2 stars: Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Sally Hawkins (Jayne Eyre), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Julie Walters (Mamma Mia) and Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown) as the voice of Paddington.

All ages comics for January 10

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This week in new all ages comics is jammed with variety, some cool graphic novels and a new book that has massive brand awareness that your young readers will really want to read. In the podcast and YouTube post we’ll detail two of the go-to comics that always hit the mark, one of the best new series this past year from BOOM Studios! and a monster magazine that upper middle school and older will enjoy reading. For now, let’s look at three all ages comics that will engage readers as young as 6.

Hammy and Gerbee: Mummies at the Museum

Hammy and Gerbee: Mummies at the Museum is an original graphic novel that fits an elusive niche in young readers. It’s the quest for a longer form book that early elementary school readers can relate to and even read. For grades 1-4 this is the graphic novel that will fill that void, make them laugh, teach them a little bit and get them hooked on reading. Hammy and Gerbil are a hamster and gerbil who are best friends. They have situations like school work and classmates who may (or may not) be evil that ages 6-9 will be able to relate to in their own lives easily.

Scooby Doo Where Are You?

Scooby Doo Where Are You? is a monthly title from DC Comics that is one of the go-to all ages comics that you can pick up with 100% confidence. If you go into any elementary school library this comic book will be there and for good reason. It’s funny, kids know the characters and it’s got enough action and humor to hook in a wide range of readers. In issue #89 fight a pizza monster. Bonus: Scooby Doo Where Are You? is only $2.99

Doctor Who

Each month there are several comic book Doctor Who options to choose from. The Doctor Who comic books are OK for middle schoolers and up. The content in any of these comics are OK for them, but they might be too complex for those that aren’t familiar with the television show or appreciate science-fiction. As with most television to comic book properties, the comic book is appropriate for younger ages than the show. If you’ve tried Doctor Who as a show and didn’t approve of it, then try the comic book from Titan Comics. It’s just as good as the show, but doesn’t have the tension or scares that you might have objected to.

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Pinckney Island needs to be on the nature lover’s stop in the lowcountry

When visiting the lowcountry in South Carolina or around Hilton Head Island it’s tempting to base your visit exclusively to the beach area. About a half mile before you cross the bridge that enters Hilton Head Island look to your left, as the turn bends to the right and you’ll see a sign for Pinckney Island. Pinckney Island is a National Wildlife Preserve that will all but transport you to another time. The first time I walked the grounds of Pinckney Island I could just imagine Jeff Goldblum or Chris Pratt telling me that I didn’t belong here and it was ‘their’ space. Between the rich audio landscape of calling birds, thick and tall pine forest and isolation it was easy to imagine a lost world.

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Two holiday season must-sees on Netflix

We’re part of the Stream Team for Netflix and were compensated for this. All thoughts are our own. The Christmas season snuck up on us again this year. It really shouldn’t sneak up as it’s the same time line every year, but it somehow does. One element of the ‘sneak’ is that the family didn’t have enough time to watch some of our go-to Christmas movies. Now that the kids are older they actively enjoy some films and are old enough to know what they like. One such series of films, The Santa Clause, is back on Netflix and they’re good enough to watch anytime of the year.

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All ages comics for December 27

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It’s Christmas week and your local comic book store is closed on December 25, but this week on new comic book day, (which is every Wednesday) there are some great all ages comics to fill the bill in case Santa missed the case. On the podcast and YouTube channel we’ll talk about Dog Man and Cat Kid, Geronimo Stilton, Star Wars Adventures and other mandatory things that your elementary school student will absolutely love. In the meantime, here are three all ages comics that will entertain-and be appropriate for ages as young as 5.

Casper and Wendy #1

As a kid I remember reading the old school Casper and Wendy team-up comic books. Wendy is the good witch, all dressed in red and Casper is the friendly ghost; between the two of them they manage to find fun wherever they go. These stories are fun and original, but have the same, classic characters that fans will remember from their original run. Kids aged 9 and up should be able to read Casper and Wendy on their own, while those 5 and up will want it read to them whilst they look at the pictures.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, #26

Galactus is back-and where he goes The Silver Surfer can’t be far behind. However, this time they meet Moon Girl-but is it a social call or something more world devouring? Moon Girl is a great monthly comic book for those in upper elementary and older. It has lots of action, but not the hyper-violent kind. It also has lots of humor-but not the fart or teen kind. It’s simply one of those great, creative, all ages comics for boys or girls aged 10 and up.

Samurai Jack : Quantum Jack (#4 of #5)

Samurai Jack is lost in time and can’t remember anything. In this mini-series from IDW Publishing he’s survived a series of villains, but this time he’s trapped inside the body of a desk worker. Do your kids like Johnny Test? If so then they’ll really enjoy Samurai Jack. The television version of Samurai Jack skews older, just like most other television-to-comic book translations. This mini-series, Samurai Jack: Quantum Jack will be appropriate for middle school and up.

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Quantum Physics for Babies, one of four simple STEM board books

“Those books bring back lots of memories”, said the man in his late 80’s, as he looked over at me. He saw the title, Quantum Physics and proceeded to tell me how he graduated from Georgia Tech and used physics in his daily work before he retired. I politely told him that this was a physics book, but its title is Quantum Physics for Babies. In his defense, he was sitting about eight feet away from me and the “for babies” part of the title is in smaller font.

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Science Comics: Dogs, a smart, fun graphic novel for middle school and up

Science Comics is a series of books from :01 First Second that have previously covered a wide range of topics including Coral Reefs, Bats and Volcanoes, just to name a few. The amazing thing that all of these books have in common is that they manage to make readers interested in things that we wouldn’t otherwise be interested in. They also manage to do it in a way that educates as much as they entertain. Science Comics, Dogs by Andy Hirsch, is another beautiful example in this series as we learn all about man’s best friend.

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All ages comics for December 20

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What are the all ages comics this week? In the podcast and YouTube video we’ll go over two outstanding stories happening for the teen audience, plus three great graphic novels that make fabulous gifts. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is great for kids aged 9 and up, Ms. Marvel is a very well written series that’s for kids just a little bit older. Shinobi Ninja Princess Lightning Oni #4 is a great action series for ages 8 and up. There are lots of other individual all ages comics out this week, check out the complete post for them. Which comic book are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

Pokemon Adventures: Black & White Graphic Novel, volume 6

We’re starting to read Pokemon Adventures with our 6 year old. He’s a reluctant reader who knows some sight words, but likes action and Pokemon. We’ve tried some other books but he hasn’t really taken to them as quickly as we’d hoped. Pokemon Adventures is a manga, so it opens from the back (as opposed to traditional books) and had art that’s more in tune with anime. So far he’s open to reading them, as will your Pokemon reader who wants to go beyond collecting the cards or playing the game.

Your Pal Archie, #5

With all the success that Riverdale is having, let’s not forget about the horse that Archie rode in on. Your Pal Archie is a regular monthly series that has Archie and his friends drawn in the classic style. This is one of the all ages comics staples that will hook in kids 5 and up. Realistically, girls will enjoy this series more than boys, but there’s enough Jughead goofiness to let some of the boys in on the fun too.

Miraculous Adventures #4

Ladybug and Cat Noir leave Paris for a visit to NYC. This is the third and final issue of this storyline in this entertaining monthly comic book. These are original stories with art that mirrors the style that kids like so much in the Nickelodeon show. It’s got action, some laughs and bad guys. Think of it as a step up from PJ Masks. Whereas that show peaks for children around 7, Miraculous is OK for kids aged 5 and up, but holds the audience until the pre-teen years.

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